Chapter 14: The Escort
High in the remote, snow-capped peaks of the northern range, Silas had secured a heavily fortified safe house. It was a concrete and steel bunker masquerading as a luxury ski lodge, accessible only by a single, winding mountain road. The syndicate used it for high-value assets who needed to disappear.
Elena stood by the reinforced glass window, staring out at the falling snow. She was exhausted. The adrenaline of the hostile takeover had faded, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. She had destroyed the Julian empire, but the final, bloody knot had yet to be untied.
Silas walked into the room, tossing a satellite phone onto the heavy wooden table. "Marcus has been mobilized again. Julian paid him off the books. They're not playing defense anymore. They're going to come for you."
Elena didn't flinch. She turned away from the window, wrapping a thick cashmere shawl around her shoulders. "Let them come. It’s exactly what I want."
Silas watched her carefully. "You're getting reckless, Elena. The contract was to dismantle the infrastructure and eliminate the target. We've achieved ninety percent of the objective. We should vanish."
"No," Elena said sharply, her eyes flashing. "Victoria is throwing her annual charity gala tomorrow night. It's the only social high ground she has left. She thinks if she smiles for the cameras, her friends in high places will save her."
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"It's a trap," Silas stated flatly. "Marcus will have the place locked down."
"I don't care," Elena replied, walking over to a heavy, silver case resting on the sofa. She opened it, revealing a beautifully engraved silver revolver. She ran her fingers over the cold metal. "My father died alone in the dark. Victoria and Julian are going to fall in front of everyone they ever wanted to impress. We're going to the gala, Silas."
