Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Gabriel sprinted out into the torrential rain, carrying a heavy metal device from his truck.
Dominic stood on the porch, providing cover fire into the dark woods.
Clare held Ellie inside the farmhouse, praying the nightmare was finally ending.
Gabriel slammed the EMP device onto the muddy ground and activated the switch.
A high-pitched mechanical whine filled the air.
Suddenly, a massive, deafening explosion ripped through the sky directly above them.
The shockwave shattered every window in the farmhouse.
The burning wreckage of a military-grade drone rained down into the forest, lighting the trees on fire.
Gabriel walked back onto the porch, wiping mud from his scarred face.
"We did it," Gabriel breathed heavily.
Dominic leaned against the doorframe, a rare smile of victory crossing his exhausted face.
They had survived the night, defeated the drone, and finally reunited.
They walked back into the living room, the fire roaring in the hearth.
Gabriel walked over to a small cabinet and poured two glasses of whiskey.
He handed one to Dominic and kept the other for himself.
Then, Gabriel turned and looked directly at Clare.
His dark eyes were devoid of any warmth.
"You played the terrified, innocent mother perfectly, Katerina," Gabriel said softly.
Dominic frowned, looking entirely confused.
"Gabriel, her name is Clare."
Gabriel took a slow sip of his whiskey.
"Her name is Katerina Rostova," Gabriel corrected, never breaking eye contact with her.
"She is the Russian contract killer who planted the bomb in my car six years ago."
Dominic froze, slowly turning his head to look at the woman holding the child.
Clare did not look terrified anymore.
Her face was completely devoid of emotion as she gently set Ellie down.
May you like
She pulled a suppressed pistol from her apron pocket and aimed it at Dominic's chest.
"I just unlocked the safehouse's final security door from the inside," she stated coldly.
