Chapter 9 - The House of God
The helicopter touched down in an empty parking lot two miles from the church.
Gabriel and his men moved through the freezing, snow-covered streets on foot.
The gothic architecture of the abandoned church loomed against the night sky like a jagged tooth.
Gabriel knew the Bratva would have snipers on the bell tower.
He ordered his team to split into three separate strike units.
Luca took the rear entrance through the old graveyard.
Gabriel led the main assault through the heavy wooden front doors.
They waited for the coordinated signal.
At exactly 3:00 a.m., Gabriel blew the front doors open with a massive explosive charge.
He charged into the sanctuary through the thick smoke and dust.
Gunfire erupted from the balconies as Russian mercenaries opened fire.
Gabriel moved from pillar to pillar, returning fire with lethal accuracy.
The church echoed with the deafening roar of automatic weapons.
Gabriel shot his way up the center aisle, his eyes fixed on the altar.
Dr. Harris was cowering behind a stone podium, holding a pistol.
Norah was tied to a heavy wooden chair near the baptismal font.
The two bassinets were resting on the floor right beside her.
Gabriel shot two mercenaries who tried to flank him from the choir loft.
Luca breached from the rear, cutting down the remaining guards in a brutal crossfire.
The sanctuary fell completely silent, thick with the smell of cordite and blood.
Gabriel walked slowly up the marble steps toward the altar.
Dr. Harris raised his pistol, his hands shaking violently.
Gabriel did not even blink as he fired a single round directly into the doctor's chest.
Harris collapsed backward, dead before he hit the stone floor.
Gabriel holstered his weapon and ran to his wife.
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He pulled a knife and cut the thick ropes binding her wrists.
Norah collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
