Chapter 23
Thousands of miles away from the bustling, opulent city center, a fortified log cabin hidden deep within the ancient pine forests of the Pacific Northwest was shrouded in a freezing, damp fog. This was the hideout of Kendra Mercer and her young son, a perfect cover arranged by the Vance family with a constant security patrol. But the darkness of this dense forest seemingly couldn't conceal the scent of blood and approaching danger.
Kendra sat on the sofa, clutching her sleeping child tightly to her chest. The ghosts of Garrett's brutality still haunted her every night. Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed from the kitchen, shattering the false peace. Tempered glass shattered under the impact of a heavy object. Kendra jumped, her heart pounding as if trying to tear through her ribcage. She grabbed her son and backed into the darkest corner of the living room, her hand trembling as she gripped a paring knife.
Three burly silhouettes dressed in form-fitting tactical gear, their faces hidden by specialized masks, silently moved into the living room, their suppressed muzzles scanning the dark space. They were Black Lotus mercenaries—ruthless phantoms born of violence. The leader mocked her in a cold, chilling voice, saying their employer wanted to retrieve her testimony, and the only way to erase a testimony was to slit the witness's throat.
But before they could pull their triggers, the solid oak front door was kicked off its hinges with terrifying force. Cole and the most elite operators of Vance Security burst in like tornados of death.
The close-quarters combat was incredibly fierce, bloody, and swift. In less than a minute, muzzle flashes ripped through the darkness. Two assassins collapsed to the floor with bullets embedded in fatal weak points. The third—the one who had just issued the threat—was backed into a corner by Cole. Cole's muzzle was pressed hard against his forehead, the security captain's eyes bloodshot with fury.
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When Cole demanded to know who orchestrated the hit, the assassin just laughed, a maniacal grin revealing blood-stained teeth, and suddenly bit down on a cyanide capsule hidden in his collar. His body convulsed violently before he collapsed, dead on the spot, leaving absolutely no clues.
Cole turned to Kendra, who was curled up in absolute terror, her face pale as a sheet. "This cover is completely blown," Cole roared over the torrential rain outside. "Brooke has prepared a privately owned, anonymous island in the Caribbean. We have to move immediately. From now on, Kendra, you are not just a witness. You are bait in this ruthless game, and we're going to lure them into the light."
