Chapter 14 - The Snake Uncoils
Through the swirling smoke walked a man in an immaculate charcoal wool coat, flanked by four heavily armed bodyguards. His silver hair was slicked back, his sharp aristocratic features unblemished by the chaos around him.
Victor Thorne.
""Julian,"" Victor said in a smooth, resonant baritone, stepping over the debris. ""You always were an overly sentimental protector. Look what that sentimentality cost your home.""
Julian raised his weapon, but Victor’s bodyguards instantly trained four red laser sights directly onto Julian’s chest.
""Lower it, son,"" Victor sighed, brushing dust from his lapel. ""You're outnumbered and completely surrounded. I have fifty men controlling the perimeter. The police won't answer your calls; I control the commissioner.""
Elena remained in the shadows of the mezzanine, the shotgun lowered, waiting for an angle.
Victor looked up toward the darkness of the second floor, smiling faintly. ""And you must be Camille’s little girl. Come out, Elena. Let me look at the ghost who destroyed twenty years of careful planning.""
Elena stepped slowly to the railing, keeping her weapon visible. ""You killed my mother.""
Victor chuckled softly, shaking his head. ""Camille killed herself when she ran away to live like a beggar. I loved her. She was supposed to rule this city beside me. Instead, she chose a nobody, and produced... a waitress.""
""That 'waitress' has your entire financial syndicate archived with the Department of Justice,"" Elena replied coldly.
May you like
Victor’s smile didn't fade. ""Which is why you won't live to testify. Shoot them both.""
Before the mercenaries could pull their triggers, headlights blinded the room from outside. The low, thundering roar of an armored military transport shook the walls.
