Chapter 17 - The Judas Kiss
The journey from the panic room to the extraction point was a nightmare of paranoia and silence.
They abandoned the ruined mansion through an old prohibition-era smuggling tunnel that let out three miles into the dense woods.
Roman moved slowly, heavily relying on Harper’s shoulder for support.
Chloe followed closely behind, clutching a heavy metal flashlight like a weapon.
They emerged into a small, abandoned logging clearing just as the sky began to turn a bruised purple.
A black tactical helicopter sat silently in the center of the clearing, its rotors spinning slowly.
Standing by the open side door was Leo, the giant guard with the cauliflower ears.
Leo rushed forward as soon as he saw them emerge from the treeline.
Boss, he said, his deep voice thick with relief as he took Roman’s weight from Harper.
I thought we lost you in the east wing.
Roman leaned against the heavy steel frame of the helicopter.
Where is the rest of the extraction team? Roman asked, his eyes scanning the empty clearing.
Leo looked down at the mud.
They didn't make it out, boss.
It's just me and the pilot.
Roman nodded slowly.
Get the girls on board, he commanded.
Harper climbed into the dark cabin of the helicopter, pulling Chloe up behind her.
As she strapped herself into the heavy canvas seat, she looked past the pilot’s seat and noticed something on the dashboard.
It was a small, silver burner phone.
The exact same model Derek had used to stream the video of Chloe’s apartment.
A sudden, horrifying realization clicked in Harper’s mind.
Roman had ordered Leo to take Derek to the warehouse.
Leo was the one who had tackled Derek in the street.
Leo was the one who had organized the security protocols for the east wing of the estate.
Roman, wait! Harper screamed over the accelerating roar of the helicopter blades.
But it was too late.
Leo did not help Roman into the cabin.
Instead, he took a step back and drew his sidearm, pointing it directly at Roman’s chest.
You should have died in the basement, Roman, Leo shouted over the engine noise.
Davis pays a hell of a lot better than you do.
Roman did not look surprised.
He simply looked disappointed.
You always lacked vision, Leo, Roman said calmly.
Leo pulled the trigger.
A loud click echoed through the clearing.
The gun jammed.
Leo stared at the weapon in shock.
Roman reached into his jacket, pulled out his own pistol with his good arm, and shot Leo twice in the chest.
The giant man collapsed into the mud, lifeless.
Roman climbed into the helicopter, kicking Leo’s body away from the landing skids.
He looked at Harper, who was staring at him in wide-eyed terror.
May you like
I removed the firing pin from his sidearm three weeks ago, Roman explained coldly.
I just needed to see if he would actually pull the trigger.
