Chapter 8 - The Graveyard Shift
The pouring rain quickly soaked through Charmian's oversized hoodie.
Lightning flashed violently across the dark sky.
Vincent pulled Charmian behind a massive, weathered stone mausoleum.
Red laser sights danced erratically through the heavy fog.
"We are completely surrounded."
Charmian whispered through chattering teeth.
Vincent checked the magazine of his Glock.
He had exactly seven bullets left.
"I am going to draw their fire."
Vincent looked her directly in the eyes.
"When they start shooting, you run toward the tree line and do not look back."
Charmian violently shook her head.
"I am not leaving you here to die."
"You do not have a choice."
Vincent ordered with absolute authority.
Before he could step out from cover, a massive explosion rocked the cemetery.
One of the armed mercenary vehicles parked near the gates erupted in a ball of fire.
Screams echoed through the tombstones as the attackers scattered in panic.
A black armored SUV crashed straight through the wrought-iron gates of the graveyard.
The vehicle skidded sideways on the wet grass and stopped directly in front of the mausoleum.
The passenger door was kicked open violently.
Aleandro White leaned out of the vehicle with an automatic rifle.
"Get in!"
Aleandro roared over the sound of the burning wreckage.
Vincent grabbed Charmian by the waist and threw her into the back seat.
He dove in right behind her as Aleandro slammed the gas pedal to the floor.
The SUV tore through the cemetery, flattening several gravestones in its path.
Bullets pinged harmlessly against the thick, bulletproof glass.
Charmian collapsed against the leather seat, gasping for air.
"How did you know we were here?"
Vincent asked his underboss.
Aleandro checked the rearview mirror with a grim expression.
"I tracked the GPS signal on Mrs. Gable's burner phone."
He steered the heavy vehicle onto the slick, deserted highway.
"But we have a much bigger problem right now, boss."
Aleandro tossed a blood-stained ledger into the back seat.
"I found this in Dante's command vehicle before I blew it up."
Vincent opened the ledger and read the first page.
May you like
His blood ran completely cold.
"Dante is not working alone."
