Chapter 8 - The Devil's Bargain
Nora stared at Dominic as if he had lost his mind.
"You called the people who tortured and brainwashed these girls?" she demanded.
"The people who took your sister?"
Dominic's face was completely devoid of emotion, a cold, hard mask.
"I activated an emergency beacon my father left me," he explained quietly.
"A direct line to the Syndicate's high command in Moscow."
"It was only to be used if the family's empire was facing total annihilation."
He checked the magazine of his pistol, slamming it back into the grip with brutal efficiency.
"Rourke thinks he can take over my territory by aligning with Blackwood contractors."
"He forgot who actually owns the board we're playing on."
The crunching of boots in the snow above them suddenly stopped.
A heavy silence descended on the freezing forest.
Then, the unmistakable sound of multiple helicopters chopped through the icy air.
Not the sleek, quiet choppers used by private contractors.
These were heavy, military-grade transport helicopters.
Bright spotlights pierced the canopy of the pine trees, turning the snowy woods as bright as day.
Nora heard shouts of panic from the mercenaries above them.
Automatic gunfire erupted, deafening in its intensity.
But it wasn't aimed at the overhang where Nora and Dominic hid.
The Syndicate was slaughtering Rourke's men.
The firefight lasted less than three minutes.
When the shooting finally stopped, a voice echoed through a powerful megaphone.
"Dominic Vale."
The voice was heavily accented, deep, and absolutely authoritative.
"Step out."
"You are safe."
Dominic stood up slowly, keeping his hands away from his weapon.
He looked down at Nora.
"Stay behind me, and do exactly what I tell you."
Nora nodded, too terrified to speak.
They climbed up the icy embankment and emerged into a small clearing.
Dozens of men in heavy winter combat gear stood over the bodies of the Blackwood mercenaries.
In the center of the clearing stood a tall man in a tailored, fur-lined coat.
He possessed a face that looked like it had been carved from granite.
"I am Nikolai," the man said, his voice surprisingly soft.
"I speak for the Syndicate."
He looked at the carnage around him with mild distaste.
"Your father's enforcer has grown entirely too ambitious."
Nikolai stepped closer, his cold eyes analyzing Dominic.
"You invoked the beacon."
"That means you accept the terms of your father's original pact."
Dominic stood tall, refusing to show any fear.
"I accept nothing until I have my sister back," he stated firmly.
Nikolai smiled. It was not a pleasant expression.
"Your sister is currently in possession of our ledger."
"She is operating under the belief that she can trade it for her freedom."
"She is mistaken."
Nikolai's gaze slowly shifted to Nora.
He studied her face, noting the scar on her cheek.
"And who is this?" Nikolai asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in his tone.
"A remnant of an old project?"
Dominic stepped slightly in front of her, shielding her from Nikolai's intense gaze.
"She is under my protection," Dominic declared.
Nikolai laughed softly, the sound carrying easily in the cold air.
"You are in no position to protect anyone, Dominic."
"You have no army."
"You have no money."
"You have only me."
Nikolai gestured to his heavily armed men.
"Bring us the ledger."
"Bring us the girl who stole it."
"Do this, and you may keep your empire."
Dominic stared at the Russian commander.
"And if I refuse?"
Nikolai's smile vanished instantly.
"Then we will finish what Rourke started."
"And we will take this broken toy with us."
He pointed a gloved finger directly at Nora.
"You have twenty-four hours."
Nikolai turned and walked toward the waiting helicopters.
His men followed, melting back into the shadows like ghosts.
Nora collapsed onto the snow, her legs finally giving out.
Dominic knelt beside her, his expression grim.
"We have to find the woman who looks like you," he said.
"Before Rourke does."
"Before the Syndicate does."
Nora looked up at him, a terrible realization dawning on her.
"Dominic," she whispered.
"The woman in the bank."
"She signed the log as Emily Vale."
"But if I am the prototype..."
"And she looks exactly like me..."
May you like
Nora swallowed hard, the truth suddenly horrifyingly clear.
"She isn't your sister."
