Chapter 2 - The Morning After
Gunther reacted with lethal speed, diving back into the master suite just as the suppressed bullet splintered the heavy oak doorframe.
He slammed the door shut and threw the deadbolt, his heart hammering against his ribs. The gunfire had been whisper-quiet, meaning the rest of the house was still asleep.
He grabbed his weapon from the nightstand. The maid, Kayla, sat up in bed, her eyes wide with terror, clutching the duvet to her chest.
"Get down!" Gunther hissed, pointing to the floor on the far side of the massive bed.
Kayla scrambled out of bed, her work shoes long forgotten, and curled into a tight ball on the floor.
Gunther positioned himself near the door, waiting for the inevitable breach. But silence followed. He carefully checked the security feed on his phone. The cameras in the hallway had been disabled.
He realized with a cold certainty that the assassin was already inside the house, meaning someone on his internal security team had been compromised.
He looked at Kayla, who was trembling violently. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
May you like
"Kayla," she stammered, tears welling in her eyes. "I just work here, I swear."
Before Gunther could question her further, the heavy oak door began to slowly creak open, the deadbolt completely bypassed by a silent, high-tech lock pick.
