Chapter 5 - The Ambush
I stared at the black screen for a long time after Patricia ended the transmission.
Marcus had been by my side for fifteen years, saving my life on countless occasions.
But my daughters were my absolute priority, and I would never trade them for anyone.
I turned to Clara, who was already checking the magazines of her stolen tactical pistol.
"You stay here in the bunker and protect Avery and Sophie," I ordered her.
"I am going to the shipyard to kill Patricia and bring Marcus home."
Clara shook her head and stepped directly into my path.
"Patricia knows you are too smart to bring the girls," Clara argued fiercely.
"She wants you to leave the bunker so she can ambush you on the road."
I knew Clara was right, but I could not sit entirely still while my best friend was tortured.
I gathered the remaining loyal members of my security team and heavily armed them for a war.
I kissed Avery and Sophie, promising them once again that I would return.
We drove out of the casino's underground garage in a convoy of three reinforced SUVs.
The Houston streets were eerily quiet as we approached the industrial sector near the ship channel.
Suddenly, a massive semi-truck ran a red light and violently T-boned the lead vehicle of our convoy.
The explosion flipped the SUV into the air, raining twisted metal and fire onto the wet pavement.
Dozens of armed cartel members poured out of the surrounding alleyways, opening fire on my vehicle.
We were completely pinned down in a brutal, deafening firefight.
I grabbed an assault rifle and kicked my door open, returning fire into the darkness.
Just as we began to push the attackers back, my burner phone rang in my pocket.
I answered it, expecting Patricia to mock my inevitable death.
May you like
Instead, I heard Clara's terrified voice screaming over the sound of grinding metal.
"Ethan, they found the bunker, and they are cutting through the vault door right now!" Clara cried out before the line went completely dead.
