Chapter 3 - The Suburban Syndicate
The heavy doors of the SUVs swung open simultaneously.
Twelve men in tactical gear stepped out onto the asphalt.
They carried suppressed submachine guns and wore unmarked tactical vests.
These were not local police officers or regular security guards.
They were a highly trained cartel hit squad.
Warren walked toward them with a smug, arrogant grin on his face.
"Take the woman and the kid into the house," Warren ordered the armed men.
I tightened my grip on Lily's hand and calculated the distance to my front door.
It was exactly thirty yards away.
I could make it in under four seconds, but Lily could not.
Suddenly, my sister Rachel stepped directly into our path.
"Don't make this harder than it has to be, Sarah," Rachel said coldly.
I stared at my own sister in absolute shock.
"You knew about this?" I asked her.
Rachel crossed her arms, showing absolutely no remorse.
"Warren promised to pay off my gambling debts if I helped keep you in line."
She had traded my safety, and my daughter's safety, for money.
"Move out of my way, Rachel," I warned her.
"No," Rachel said, raising her chin defiantly.
I did not have time for a family debate.
I shoved Rachel hard into the bushes, clearing the path to my house.
I hoisted Lily into my arms and sprinted across the lawn.
Bullets began tearing into the grass and the mailbox behind us.
The mercenaries were shooting to kill.
I kicked my front door open and dove inside with my daughter.
I slammed the heavy oak door shut and threw the deadbolt.
Wood splintered instantly as a hail of gunfire destroyed the front porch.
"Go to the basement, Lily!" I yelled, pulling a hidden panel off the wall.
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Inside the wall was a fully loaded assault rifle and a tactical vest.
I heard the back door of the kitchen get kicked open.
