Chapter 3 - The Narrows
Jack froze as the barrel of the shotgun leveled perfectly with his heart.
He had expected danger, but he had not expected a coordinated ambush.
"Where is the woman and the little girl?" Jack demanded, refusing to show any fear.
The heavily tattooed man chuckled, stepping fully into the dim light of the bedroom.
"Sarah broke the rules by taking the kid out in public, so they are both being relocated."
Jack tightened his grip on his concealed pistol, calculating the distance between them.
"Who is your boss?" Jack asked, slowly shifting his weight to his back foot.
"Someone who hates you enough to wait three years for this exact moment," the thug replied.
The man pulled the shotgun's pump back with a loud, terrifying clack.
Jack moved with explosive speed, diving behind a heavy oak dresser just as the gun roared.
Buckshot tore through the wood, sending sharp splinters flying across the room.
Jack drew his pistol and fired two blind shots around the corner to keep the man pinned down.
He heard a heavy thud and a curse as one of his bullets grazed the attacker.
Jack did not wait for the man to reload.
He bolted out of the bedroom and sprinted down the narrow hallway toward the exit.
He burst out into the cold alleyway, his lungs burning as he ran back toward his armored SUV.
As he reached his vehicle, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
The caller ID displayed an unknown number, but Jack answered it immediately.
"You move fast for an architect, Jack," a distorted, electronic voice mocked through the speaker.
"If you hurt one hair on that little girl's head, I will burn your entire world down," Jack snarled.
May you like
The voice laughed softly.
"If you want to see Callie alive again, bring fifty million dollars to the abandoned shipyard at midnight, and come completely alone."
