Chapter 43
Ryan burst into the kitchen, his weapon raised, just as a group of mercenaries attempted to blow the heavy steel door leading to the cellar. He opened fire, dropping three of them instantly. The remaining attackers scattered, seeking cover behind the marble island and the stainless steel appliances.
A brutal firefight ensued in the confined space. Ryan moved with lethal grace, utilizing every angle and reflection to pinpoint the enemy. He tossed a flashbang over the island, the blinding white light and deafening bang disorienting the remaining mercenaries. He capitalized on the distraction, eliminating them with swift, clinical efficiency.
The kitchen fell silent, save for the ringing in Ryan's ears and the heavy, ragged breathing of the dying. He approached the cellar door, punching in the override code. The heavy steel door hissed open, revealing the dark, narrow staircase leading down to the safe room.
"Lily! Mia!" Ryan called out, his voice echoing in the gloom.
"Daddy!" Lily's voice cried out, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Both girls rushed up the stairs, throwing themselves into Ryan's arms. They were terrified but unharmed.
"We have to move," Ryan said, his voice tight with urgency. "The house is compromised."
Before they could reach the secret escape tunnel, a slow, deliberate clapping echoed from the hallway. Ryan shoved the girls behind him, raising his pistol.
Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the flickering emergency lights, was an older man with silver hair and a sharply tailored suit. He carried a silver-tipped walking cane, his face bearing the unmistakable, cruel features that had haunted the syndicate's history. It was Marcus.
"Impressive, Ryan," Marcus said, his voice smooth and cultured, belying the violence he commanded. "You've grown into a formidable leader. Your father would be proud."
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"You have no right to speak of my father," Ryan growled, his finger tightening on the trigger. "What do you want, Marcus?"
"I want what belongs to me," Marcus said, his eyes locking onto Mia, who was trembling behind Ryan. "That child carries the bloodline of the true commission. She is the key to reclaiming the empire you so carelessly abandoned."
