Chapter 9 - The Fall of the Traitor
The three gunshots roared like thunder within the enclosed bedroom.
The bullets tore through the weakened plaster ceiling, severing the heavy iron bolts anchoring the two-hundred-pound crystal chandelier.
With a terrifying screech of tearing metal, the massive fixture dropped from the ceiling like a falling meteor.
Viktor looked up, his eyes widening in pure horror as the massive cascade of brass and sharp crystal crushed him to the floor.
The impact sent a shockwave of dust and glass shards sweeping across the room.
Viktor screamed in agony as the heavy iron frame pinned his legs and shattered his right shoulder.
His revolver spun across the bloody floor, stopping inches from Damian’s combat boots.
Damian kicked the weapon away, his face expressionless as he drew his tactical combat knife from his belt.
He walked over to the wreckage and stood above his pinned cousin.
"You always did have poor taste in lighting," Damian said coldly.
"Wait! Damian, please!" Viktor shrieked, blood spitting from his split lips as he clawed at the heavy brass chains.
"We are family!
Our fathers built this city together!
I can give you the antidote!
The real one!
The chemist in Berlin has the neutralizing compound!"
"I don't need your chemist," Damian replied softly, his voice devoid of any human mercy.
He raised the heavy hilt of his knife and struck Viktor across the temple, knocking the traitor into deep, black unconsciousness.
Suddenly, the blare of heavy sirens echoed from the long driveway outside Grayhaven House.
Flashing red and blue lights illuminated the rain-slicked trees of the estate.
Mara’s heart seized in terror.
"The police," Mara whispered, pulling Lila close.
"They will arrest us.
They will take Lila away from me."
"Those aren't the police," Damian said, walking over to the shattered French doors to look down at the driveway.
Six black armored SUVs had breached the wrought-iron gates, bearing the golden griffin emblem of the Volkov Family Council.
Leading the convoy was Andrei, flanked by thirty heavily armed loyalists who had bypassed Viktor's ambushes through the private airfield.
The council elders stepped out of the vehicles, their faces grave as they saw the bodies of Viktor’s mercenaries littering the lawn.
Damian turned back toward Mara and Lila, his breathing calm, his posture completely unbroken.
"The war for Baltimore is over," Damian said, extending his hand toward them.
May you like
"Come.
It's time to show the city who rules Grayhaven."
