Chapter 7 - The Vault of Sins
The cartel soldiers formed a tight perimeter, their laser sights cutting through the dusty air.
A tall man in a flawlessly tailored white suit stepped out of the armored vehicle.
It was Alejandro Santiago, the ruthless head of the southern cartel.
"Grant Holloway," Alejandro smiled, spreading his arms in a mock greeting.
"You run a beautiful hotel, but you are terrible at choosing your friends."
He gestured dismissively toward Victor, who was still bleeding on the concrete floor.
"Give me the flash drive, and I will let the woman and the child walk away," Alejandro offered.
I knew the word of a cartel boss was worth absolutely nothing.
"If I give you this drive, you'll execute all of us right here," I stated coldly.
I discreetly tapped the screen of my smartwatch, sending a silent distress signal to my most loyal enforcers.
"You are out of options, my friend," Alejandro sighed, snapping his fingers.
His heavily armed men raised their automatic rifles, preparing for a brutal firing squad.
I looked at Rachel and nodded toward a stack of heavy steel shipping containers.
"Now!" I roared.
Rachel threw a flashbang grenade she had hidden in her pocket directly at Alejandro's feet.
The warehouse erupted into a blinding white light and a deafening, disorienting bang.
I grabbed Emma by the waist and sprinted toward the steel containers as gunfire erupted blindly around us.
Bullets sparked off the heavy metal crates, missing our heads by mere inches.
We reached a small maintenance hallway at the back of the warehouse, but the heavy security door was electronically locked.
Alejandro's men were quickly recovering from the flashbang and advancing on our position.
I raised my gun to shoot the electronic keypad, hoping to force the lock.
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Suddenly, the heavy metal door clicked loudly and swung open all by itself.
Standing in the doorway was the corrupt Chief of Police, pointing a massive shotgun directly at my chest.
