Page 41 of Duty Unbound

But a movement caught my eye just as I was about to do something stupid. On the monitor behind Mel’s head, a shadow moved along the eastern perimeter. A figure dressed in dark clothing, moving with purpose toward the house.

“Shit,” I muttered, straightening up instantly. “We’ve got an intruder.”

Chapter 13

Ethan

My body tensed as I locked on the shadow moving across the monitor screen. The conversation with Mel evaporated instantly, replaced by cold focus.

“Fuck.”

I grabbed my earpiece from the desk and slid it in with practiced precision. “All stations, all stations, we have an intruder on property. East perimeter, moving toward the main house. Lock down the primary. I’m maneuvering to intercept.”

Logan’s voice came through immediately. “Copy that. Moving to reinforce the perimeter.”

“I’ve got Nova,” Ty confirmed. “Securing her now.”

Jace was already punching commands into the system from where he was, bringing up additional camera angles. “Got him on camera three. He’s heading toward the east wing, looks like he’s checking windows.”

I yanked open the drawer, grabbed my sidearm and a spareradio, turning to Mel. Her eyes had widened, but there was no panic in them—just alert readiness. I handed her the radio.

“Lock this door behind me,” I instructed, holding her gaze for just a beat longer than necessary. “Take this radio and tell me where he goes if he changes direction.”

“Got it.” Her voice was steady, no hint of hysteria.

I moved toward the door, pausing to glance back. “Stay put until I give the all clear.”

She nodded once, gripping the radio. As I slipped into the hallway, I heard the click of the lock behind me.

The estate corridors were silent as I moved through them with practiced efficiency. No wasted motion. No hesitation. My breathing remained controlled, my heartbeat only slightly elevated—not from fear, but from the familiar surge of adrenaline warming my muscles for what was to come.

I kept the pressure of my footfalls light as I reached the side entrance near the east wing. Slipping outside, I pressed my back against the wall, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.

“Ethan, he changed direction,” Mel’s voice came through the radio, calm and informative. “He’s moving along the pool side, toward Nova’s balcony.”

“Copy that,” I responded quietly. “Moving to intercept.”

I circled wide, using the landscaping for cover. The night air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and something else—cologne, too strong and too cheap. Whoever our visitor was, subtlety wasn’t his strong suit.

“He’s stopped,” Mel updated. “Below Nova’s balcony now, looking up.”

I moved closer, keeping to the shadows. Twenty yards away, a figure in dark clothing stood with his neck craned back, staring up at Nova’s balcony with unsettling intensity. Male, medium build, nothing particularly remarkable about him except the fact that he shouldn’t be here.

“I have visual,” I whispered into the radio. “Approaching.”

Drawing my weapon, I closed the distance with silent precision. The intruder remained fixated on the balcony, oblivious to my approach. I stopped ten feet behind him, gun raised but angled slightly down—ready but not eager to use it.

“Don’t move.” My voice was ice-cold, pitched just loud enough to reach him without carrying further. “Hands where I can see them.”

His body went rigid. For one second, he froze completely—then he bolted.

“Suspect is running!” I barked into the radio, already in pursuit. “Heading north toward the perimeter fence!”

The guy was fast—or terrified—probably both. He darted between trees, zigzagging across the lawn with the desperation of a cornered animal. But fear made people sloppy. He stumbled over a decorative rock, his rhythm faltering just enough for me to close some of the gap.

“Logan,” I said between controlled breaths as I ran, “cut him off at the north fence line.”

“On it,” came the terse reply.