Chapter 6 - The Setup
Gabriel stood perfectly still under the blinding glare of the warehouse floodlights.
He did not flinch, even as a dozen automatic rifles were aimed directly at his chest.
Derek stepped closer, his corrupt police badge gleaming mockingly under his leather jacket.
He shoved Noah roughly to the floor, making the little boy cry out in pain.
Harper watched from her hiding spot behind the wooden pallets, her blood boiling with absolute rage.
Derek bragged that the Russian syndicate had paid him five million dollars to deliver Gabriel Ashford tonight.
He held up the stolen ledger, claiming it contained enough evidence to put Gabriel away for life.
Gabriel simply smiled, a terrifying, predatory grin that unsettled every armed man in the room.
He asked Derek if he honestly believed a mafia boss would keep his real ledger in a house vault.
Derek’s arrogant smile slightly faded as he looked down at the black leather book in his hand.
Gabriel calmly explained that the book was laced with a highly concentrated, delayed-reaction nerve toxin.
Derek panicked, instantly dropping the book as if it had burned his fingers.
He frantically wiped his hands on his jeans, completely distracted by his own cowardice.
Gabriel used that exact split second of distraction to move.
He dove behind a solid steel pillar just as the Russian mercenaries opened fire.
Deafening gunfire echoed through the massive warehouse, tearing chunks of concrete from the walls.
Harper knew she had to use this absolute chaos to save her little brother.
She crawled silently through the dark shadows, gripping the heavy pistol Gabriel had given her.
She moved behind a massive stack of cargo crates, inching closer to where Noah was huddled on the floor.
She could see Derek yelling orders at the mercenaries, completely ignoring the little boy for a moment.
Harper lunged forward, grabbing Noah’s hand and pulling him desperately into the darkness.
Noah hugged her tightly, burying his tear-stained face into her uniform.
She whispered that everything was going to be okay and pushed him toward a small exit door.
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Suddenly, a heavy hand grabbed her fiercely by the hair and yanked her backward.
Derek spun her around, pressing the cold barrel of his police revolver directly under her chin.
