Chapter 7 - The Boathouse Ambush
The blinding spotlights pinned them in place.
Red laser sights danced across Victor’s chest.
They had walked straight into a trap.
Julian stepped out from the shadows of the boathouse.
He was clapping his hands in a slow and mocking rhythm.
"Did you really think I didn't know about the old tunnels?" Julian sneered.
"I spent my childhood exploring them, Victor."
Anna tightened her grip on the stolen rifle slung across her shoulder.
She had one chance to make a move.
"Drop the weapons," Julian commanded sharply.
Victor slowly placed his handgun on the wooden dock.
He kicked it away.
Anna reluctantly lowered her rifle to the ground.
"Let the woman and the children go," Victor pleaded.
"This is between you and me."
Julian smiled wickedly.
"Oh, I plan to let the maid go," Julian replied.
"She is the perfect scapegoat for your tragic murder tonight."
He gestured toward his heavily armed men.
"Kill my brother and the boy," Julian ordered coldly.
Before the mercenaries could pull their triggers, Lily started crying loudly.
The sudden noise echoed sharply in the cavernous boathouse.
One of the mercenaries flinched and looked down at the tiny girl.
That single second of distraction was all Anna needed.
She kicked a heavy metal gas canister across the wooden dock.
It crashed directly into the mercenary's knees.
At the same time, Anna dove for her discarded rifle.
She rolled across the damp wood and opened fire.
Two mercenaries dropped instantly before they even realized what happened.
Victor did not hesitate.
He lunged forward and tackled the closest guard into the freezing lake.
Gunfire completely shattered the quiet night.
Bullets tore through the wooden walls of the boathouse.
Anna provided cover fire while shielding Lily with her own body.
Julian cursed loudly and ducked behind a stack of wooden crates.
Victor emerged from the water with the dead guard's weapon.
He shot the last two mercenaries with brutal precision.
The boathouse fell eerily silent.
Only the sound of water sloshing against the wooden pylons remained.
"Julian!" Victor roared into the shadows.
There was no answer.
Julian had slipped out the back door during the chaotic gunfight.
"He ran away," Anna breathed heavily.
She lowered her smoking weapon.
Victor rushed over to the sleek armored speedboat.
He jumped into the driver's seat and frantically pressed the ignition button.
The powerful engines roared to life instantly.
He gestured wildly for Anna and the children to get in.
"Hurry, before he sends reinforcements!" Victor yelled over the engine noise.
Anna handed the children over the side of the boat.
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She climbed aboard just as a massive spotlight swept across the water.
Julian had activated the estate's heavy defense turrets.
