Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Victor stumbled backward, the spray of bullets from Kayla's submachine gun chewing into the concrete around him and catching him in the shoulder. He roared in pain, dropping the shotgun.
Gunther didn't waste the opportunity. He lunged forward, tackling Victor to the ground and disarming him completely. The remaining firefight in the warehouse died down as Victor’s men saw their leader subdued.
Silas, recovering from the blast, ordered his surviving men to secure the prisoners. Jacqueline climbed down from the catwalk, her face pale and streaked with soot.
"It's over," Gunther said, standing over a bleeding and defeated Victor. "You lost, Victor."
Kayla stood trembling, dropping the empty submachine gun. She couldn't believe she had just shot a man. She looked at Gunther, who gave her a rare, approving nod.
They had won. The traitor was captured, the rival boss was an ally (for now), and the empire was secure. Gunther turned to Silas. "Take Victor to the holding cells. We'll deal with him later."
Silas nodded, his men dragging a cursing Victor away.
Gunther walked over to Kayla, placing a surprisingly gentle hand on her shoulder. "You saved my life again, Kayla. I won't forget this."
Kayla finally let out a long breath, the tension leaving her body. The nightmare was seemingly over. She could finally go home, pay for Sam's treatment, and maybe even sleep for a week.
As they walked out of the smoke-filled warehouse into the gray dawn light, Gunther's phone—a secure burner Silas had given him—buzzed in his pocket.
He answered it, his expression hardening instantly. He listened for a moment in silence, then slowly lowered the phone.
May you like
"What is it?" Kayla asked, dread pooling in her stomach.
Gunther looked at her, his eyes colder than she had ever seen them. "That was Sam's physical therapist," he said softly. "Sam is gone. They took him from the facility an hour ago."
