Chapter 3 - The Secret Tunnels
The suffocating smell of burning metal filled the small office.
The assassins would break through the door in less than two minutes.
I kicked the heavy Persian rug away from the center of the floor.
I grabbed a hidden iron ring embedded deep in the hardwood.
I pulled with all my strength to open the heavy trapdoor.
A dark, narrow stone staircase descended into the absolute blackness below.
These were prohibition-era smuggling tunnels that I had secretly restored years ago.
"Go down, quickly," I ordered Maria.
She climbed into the dark shaft with Sofia crying quietly in her arms.
I followed them down and pulled the heavy wooden door shut above us.
I threw the heavy iron latch just as the office door upstairs finally collapsed.
I turned on the flashlight mounted beneath the barrel of my pistol.
"Stay close to me and do not make a single sound," I whispered into the dark.
We ran through the damp, narrow brick corridors beneath the sprawling estate.
The air was freezing cold and smelled intensely of wet earth and decay.
I could hear the muffled shouts of the assassins searching the rooms directly above our heads.
We walked for twenty agonizing minutes in the terrifying darkness.
We finally reached the rusted iron gate that led out to the surrounding forest.
I pushed the gate open, and we stepped out into the freezing midnight rain.
A black luxury sedan was parked on the dirt road fifty yards away.
Standing next to the running car was Elias, my most loyal driver.
"I saw the flare on the security grid, Boss," Elias said, opening the rear door.
"Get in, we have to leave the county right now."
I pushed Maria and Sofia into the back seat and climbed into the front passenger side.
Elias slammed the accelerator, and the car tore down the muddy, unpaved road.
I let out a long breath, finally feeling a tiny fraction of safety.
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Then I heard the distinct, metallic click of a gun hammer being pulled back.
I turned to see Elias pointing a silver revolver directly at my face.
