Chapter 4 - Breaking Point
Before Tommy could process the noise, Declan lunged forward with a primal roar of pain and fury, slamming his shoulder directly into Tommy’s midsection.
The two men crashed hard against the stainless-steel cabinets, shattering glass and scattering surgical trays across the floor. Tommy struck his head against the sharp edge of the counter, dropping his weapon as he went down in a daze.
Declan collapsed over him, pinning the younger man with his remaining strength, his fingers wrapping around Tommy’s throat.
“You talk about transitions, Tommy?” Declan growled, his face inches from Tommy’s terrified eyes. “I built this empire with my bare hands while you were still running numbers for street gangs in Southie. You don't take it from me.”
Tommy clawed desperately at Declan’s wrists, his face turning purple, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “Declan… stop… I’ll—”
“Boss!”
A shout echoed from the hallway outside the open east wing door. Heavy footsteps thudded up the stairs—more of Tommy’s enforcers responding to the crash.
Declan’s eyes widened. He released Tommy’s throat, staggering backward as his wounded side tore open anew, pouring fresh blood down his dark trousers. He grabbed for the pistol on the floor, but his fingers slipped.
“Declan!” Norah yelled, bursting out of the cabinet.
She didn't hesitate. She grabbed the heavy steel oxygen tank she had tipped over, hoisted it with both hands, and swung it with all her might toward the open doorway just as the first enforcer crossed the threshold.
The heavy metal rim caught the man square in the chest, sending him crashing backward into the hallway wall and blocking the entrance.
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“Grab the ledger on the desk!” Declan ordered, gasping for air as he pressed a hand against his bleeding side. “We have to move—now!”
Norah didn't argue. She bolted past Declan, grabbed the leather-bound shipping ledger from the small writing desk, and pulled Declan up by his good arm, taking his weight against her shoulder as gunfire erupted from the hallway outside.
