Undercover Animal Specialist Exposed to $15 Million Hollywood Dynasty's Lethal Hunting Hounds Finds Betrayal, Mob Retribution, and Heartbreaking Loss on Georgia Celebrity Estate
Silas fumbled for the heavy ring of keys clipped to his belt, his hand shaking so violently the metal clattered against his hip. The five hounds watched his every movement, their bodies tense, ready to spring. Riptide’s low growl vibrated through the floorboards.
“They’re just… animals,” Silas wheezed, his voice thin and reedy, a stark contrast to his usual booming tone. His eyes darted nervously between the dogs and my impassive face.
“They are,” I agreed. “And you trained them to be perfectly responsive to command. I simply gave them new commands.”
He finally unclipped the ring, his fingers struggling with the small security keycard hanging among the traditional brass keys. He held it out, his arm extended awkwardly, as if I might bite him too.
“Give it to me,” I said, my voice flat.
He dropped the keycard directly onto the weathered wooden floorboards of the veranda, pulling his hand back as if burned. The small, white plastic rectangle skittered to a stop near my boot.
I bent and picked it up. It felt impossibly light, yet it was the weight of Caleb’s freedom.
“Now, where’s Warren Gable?” I asked, looking up at Silas. “I know he’s around. He always is when something ‘unfortunate’ happens on the estate.”
Silas’s eyes widened further, if that were possible. “Gable? Why would you want him? He’s got nothing to do with this!”
Julian, who had been trying to shrink against a pillar, spoke up. “He’s our… financial advisor. Handles the estate’s affairs.”
“Oh, I know what he handles,” I retorted, a bitter taste in my mouth. “He handles your ‘accident’ claims, doesn’t he? The ones where animals go rogue and convenient payouts follow.”
Before they could respond, Silas suddenly roared, his voice regaining a desperate fraction of its former power. “Gable! Gable, you old fool! Get the guards! Now! She’s got the dogs!”
His panicked scream cut through the quiet afternoon. I heard a distant shout from somewhere down the long, winding gravel driveway that led to the estate’s main gate.
“Armed guards?” I asked, my voice dangerously low. “You were really planning to make this ugly, weren’t you?”
Silas ignored me, still bellowing into the air. “The west entrance! Tell them to secure the west entrance! No one gets in or out!”
“He’s calling for the estate’s private security detail,” Julian explained, his voice laced with renewed urgency. “They’re ex-military. Heavily armed. You can’t fight them, Maya.”
I watched Silas, his face red with exertion and fury, still yelling into the empty air. The hounds remained at my side, their heads swiveling, sensing the shift in the situation.
“You really think a few hired guns are going to stop me now?” I asked, my grip tightening on the keycard. “Not when Caleb is involved.”
A golf cart, modified with heavy-duty tires, suddenly appeared at the end of the driveway, kicking up a cloud of dust. Warren Gable, a portly man in an expensive linen suit, was behind the wheel, his face a picture of agitation. He slammed on the brakes, the cart skidding to a halt.
“Silas! What in God’s name is happening?” Gable bellowed, his voice surprisingly robust for his size. He scanned the scene, his eyes landing on me and the encircling hounds, then on Silas and Julian cowering against the veranda.
“She’s gone mad!” Silas shrieked. “She’s turned the dogs on us! Get the guards, Warren! She’s trying to rob us!”
Gable’s hand went to a walkie-talkie clipped to his belt. “Understood, Silas. Reinforcements inbound. ETA five minutes.” He eyed me with a sneer. “Looks like your little rebellion is over, sweetheart.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. Five minutes. Not much time. I had to get to Caleb. The manor wing was just to the side, a heavy oak door waiting.
“Stay here,” I murmured to the hounds, giving them a quick, silent signal to remain on guard. Their eyes flicked to Silas and Julian, their message clear.
I took a deep breath. Caleb was my priority.
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