Chapter 5 - The Hostage Situation
Thick, choking gray smoke billowed up the grand staircase as the concussive force of the explosion rattled my teeth.
I quickly pulled my tactical mask over my face and descended the stairs, keeping my weapon raised and my eyes sweeping for targets.
The beautiful vaulted living room was completely decimated, with shattered glass and splintered wood covering the expensive leather furniture.
Ryan's family members were screaming in absolute terror, huddled together on the floor while three mercenaries held them at gunpoint.
Ryan was kneeling in the center of the room, sobbing uncontrollably and begging the armed men to take his wife instead of him.
Jessica was pressed against the fireplace, her face completely pale as the lead mercenary aimed a pistol directly at her forehead.
The mercenary demanded the master override code for the titanium vault, threatening to execute Jessica if Ryan did not produce it.
Ryan hysterically confessed that he did not know the code, admitting that he had stolen the house and had absolutely no idea what was in the basement.
The mercenary cocked the hammer of his pistol, declaring that the civilians were entirely useless and it was time to clean house.
I dropped a non-lethal flashbang grenade over the banister, squeezing my eyes shut right before the blinding white light detonated.
The deafening crack incapacitated the mercenaries instantly, sending them stumbling blindly around the ruined living room.
I vaulted over the wooden railing and landed squarely on the lead mercenary, driving the butt of my rifle into his jaw.
I engaged the second target with a swift, brutal kick to the chest, sending him crashing through the remains of a glass coffee table.
The third mercenary managed to raise his weapon, but I fired two suppressed rounds directly into his bulletproof vest, knocking the wind out of him.
Within exactly ten seconds, the immediate threat was completely neutralized and the hostile targets were disarmed on the floor.
Ryan's family stared at me in absolute, stunned silence, finally realizing that the boring government worker they bullied was a lethal weapon.
I grabbed Ryan by the collar of his expensive shirt and dragged him roughly to his feet, ignoring his pathetic whimpering.
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Before I could demand answers, I felt the cold, unmistakable ring of a steel gun barrel press directly against the back of my head.
Jessica’s voice whispered in my ear, coldly ordering me to drop my weapon and step away from her husband.
