Chapter 6 - The Architect of Treason
The reinforced door didn't just open—it splintered into a cloud of wood shavings and shattered brass as a heavy tactical breaching charge went off in the hallway.
Smoke billowed into the suite, smelling of burnt cordite and ozone.
Through the haze, two figures in black tactical gear and night-vision goggles surged through the threshold, automatic rifles raised.
Bang! Bang!
Daniel didn't hesitate. Two silenced shots cracked through the room with lethal precision. The first intruder dropped instantly, a clean round through his ceramic chest plate knocking the wind out of him before a follow-up shot ended the threat. The second intruder dived behind a medical supply cart, returning blind fire that chewed up the mahogany desktop just inches above Rachel’s head.
“Matteo! Now!” Daniel shouted.
From the hallway, Matteo and another enforcer flanked the doorway, pinning the remaining intruder in a crossfire. A sharp cry of pain echoed outside, followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the floor.
“Clear!” Matteo called out, his voice sharp and steady as he stepped over the smoking debris of the door, his clothes stained with cordite and blood. “Boss, the south stairwell is cut off. We’ve got more coming up from the basement.”
Daniel didn't blink. He strode over to the trembling Tommy, hauled the young man up by his collar, and shoved him toward Rachel.
“Take the kid. Take my son,” Daniel ordered, his voice brooking zero argument. “Matteo will escort you to the secure sub-basement tunnel. There’s an armored transport waiting.”
“What about you?” Rachel demanded, shielding baby Leo tightly against her chest with one hand while holding Tommy’s arm with the other. “You can’t fight an entire hospital alone!”
“I’m not alone,” Daniel said softly. He pulled a heavy titanium key card from his pocket and pressed it into Rachel’s palm. “Go to the third floor administrative wing. Room 312. That’s Harrison’s private office. Find the hard drive in his wall safe. Everything we need to prove who ordered the hit on Camille is on that drive.”
Rachel stared at the key card, then up at Daniel’s fierce, unyielding eyes.
“Go!” Daniel barked.
May you like
Rachel didn't argue anymore. Turning on her heel, she clutched Leo against her racing heart, half-dragging her weeping brother behind Matteo as they slipped out through the adjoining surgical prep room into the shadows of the darkened hospital wing.
Daniel watched them disappear around the corner, then turned his gaze toward the flickering emergency lights of the hallway. He checked the magazine of his Glock, racked the slide with a crisp, metallic snap, and walked out into the war zone.
