Chapter 4 - The Fall and the Reckoning
Roland didn't draw a gun. He grabbed a heavy steel server tower from the desk and hurled it with terrifying, monstrous force directly into the guard standing beside Pike.
The impact sounded like a car crash. The guard’s gun went off, blowing a hole in the concrete ceiling, before he crashed into the wall.
"Dominic! Get Marlene into the safe room!" Roland roared.
Marlene didn't run. As another guard aimed at Roland, Marlene lunged forward, grabbing a heavy glass water pitcher from a side table and smashing it across the guard’s face. The man stumbled, gasping in surprise, giving Roland the split second he needed to close the distance.
Roland grabbed the guard's arm, snapped it like a dry twig, pulled the man's weapon from his belt, and fired three precise shots into the remaining men.
Pike turned to flee up the stairs, but Roland lunged like a panther, grabbing Pike by the ankle and dragging him crashing down the steel steps.
Pike hit the concrete floor hard, coughing up blood. Before he could raise his sidearm, Roland’s heavy boot came down onto his wrist, crushing the bones beneath his leather shoe.
Pike shrieked in agony, dropping the weapon.
Roland grabbed Pike by his collar, lifting the grown man off the floor with one hand and slamming him against the reinforced vault door.
"You poisoned my children," Roland whispered, his breath hot against Pike’s bleeding face. "You stole a mother’s child. And you brought treason into my home."
"Kill me..." Pike choked out, blood dripping from his lips. "Kill me, Roland... you'll never get into Moretti's compound in time... the twins have less than twenty-four hours..."
Roland pulled a curved tactical blade from his belt, his eyes devoid of mercy. "You aren't going to die yet, Walter. You are going to guide us through Moretti’s front door."
Ten minutes later, the basement was secured.
Marlene stood near the door, her heart hammering against her ribs, staring at Roland as he strapped a black Kevlar vest over his chest and checked the magazine of his custom tactical handgun.
"Mr. Castellano," Marlene said, stepping into his path. "I’m coming with you."
Roland paused, looking down at her fragile frame. "Marlene, that compound is a war zone. Victor Moretti has forty heavily armed mercenaries on those grounds. It will be bloody."
"That boy in that basement is my son," Marlene said, her hazel eyes blazing with a fierce, unbreakable maternal fury that made Roland’s chest ache. "I have waited four years to hold him. I don't care if Victor Moretti has an army. No one stops me from reaching my baby tonight."
May you like
Roland stared at her for a long second. Slowly, a profound respect washed over his rugged features. He pulled a compact, lightweight revolver from his holster and placed it into her small, bandage-wrapped hand.
"Keep the safety on until we hit the inner doors," Roland said softly, his fingers lingering over hers. "Let’s go bring our children home."
