Chapter 26
Back in New York, the sprawling suburban estate had become a burning war zone. The manicured gardens and sweeping driveways were torn apart by heavy tire tracks and burning debris. A squad of twelve heavily armed mercenaries in gray urban camouflage moved through the smoke on the third floor, clearing the hallway with military discipline.
These were not street enforcers. They were high-tier wet-work contractors, paid an astronomical bounty through a dead man’s escrow to wipe the Carter bloodline off the face of the earth.
Inside the master suite’s panic room, the thick titanium-reinforced doors muffled the sounds of destruction outside. The room was lit only by the pale blue glow of the internal security console.
Lily was curled into a tight ball on the velvet sofa, clutching a plush rabbit to her chest, tears silently streaming down her rosy cheeks. She looked at Sarah, her little lip quivering. "Are the bad men back?"
Sarah sat beside her three-year-old sister, wrapping her thin arms tightly around Lily’s shoulders. The months of starvation and terror behind the wall had hardened something deep inside Sarah, but looking at Lily, her brown eyes were filled with fierce protectiveness. "Don't cry, Lily," Sarah whispered softly. "Daddy promised he was coming back. And my daddy always keeps his promises."
Emily stood at the reinforced viewing slit, a Glock 19 gripped in both hands, another spare magazine pressed against her palm. She had stripped off her silk robe, wearing dark trousers and a fitted jacket, her blonde hair tied tightly behind her head. Her intelligent eyes tracked the thermal heat signatures on the console screen.
Four guards from their personal detail lay dead at the top of the grand staircase. The mercenary squad had reached the master suite. Heavy metal tools clanged against the oak outer doors as the assault team breached the bedroom.
"They're setting thermite on the blast frame," Emily observed, her voice cold and analytical. She set down the spare magazine, chambered a round with a smooth, decisive click, and turned to look at the two girls.
"Lily, Sarah. Under the reinforced bed frame. Now," Emily ordered gently.
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"Mommy..." Lily whined, terrified.
"Go, sweetheart," Emily commanded, her smile radiant and full of motherly warmth despite the steel in her voice. "Mommy has everything under control."
