Chapter 4 - The Shattered Fortress
Vincent sprinted blindly down the hallway.
He threw his body forward just as the explosive device detonated.
The blast ripped through the staff quarters with a deafening roar.
A shockwave of fire and splintered wood completely obliterated the corridor.
Vincent slammed hard into the marble floor.
His ears rang continuously with a high-pitched mechanical whine.
Thick black smoke immediately filled the second floor of the estate.
The emergency sprinkler system activated, raining cold water down on the ruins.
Vincent forced himself to stand up despite the agonizing pain in his ribs.
He had to get back to the surveillance room before the smoke suffocated Charmian.
He limped through the wreckage, his weapon raised and ready.
Automatic gunfire suddenly erupted from the front courtyard.
The explosion had blown a massive hole in the estate's defensive wall.
Dozens of Petrov mercenaries were pouring through the breach like a flood.
Vincent finally reached his office and threw the doors open.
Charmian was coughing violently, curled beneath the heavy mahogany desk.
Vincent grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.
"We have to move to the basement."
He dragged her out of the office and toward the emergency stairwell.
They navigated through the smoke-filled corridors as bullets shattered the expensive windows.
They reached the heavy steel door of the subterranean panic room.
Vincent punched the emergency override code into the keypad.
The door hissed open, and he shoved Charmian inside.
He turned around to lock the mechanism.
A figure stepped out of the shadows at the end of the basement hallway.
It was Mrs. Gable.
The sweet, elderly housekeeper was holding a suppressed pistol with a perfectly steady grip.
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"I am so sorry, Vincent."
She aimed the weapon directly at Charmian's head.
