Chapter 13 - Descent Through the Clouds
Fifty minutes before dawn, a heavy transport helicopter sliced through the rainclouds above the glittering glass spire of the Vance International Tower. The building rose eighty stories into the storm, its sleek illuminated crown cutting through the fog like a beacon of absolute power.
Inside the cabin, Damian pulled on a black tactical helmet, securing the radio link. Mateo and six heavily armed operatives stood beside the rear deployment ramp, their weapons checked and ready.
""Julian has eighteen private mercenaries on the eighty-second-floor executive level,"" Sophia reported through Damian's earpiece from the mobile command van below. ""He's locked down the elevators. The board of directors is already seated in the main conference room. The vote begins in four minutes.""
""Keep Elena safe at the perimeter, Sophia,"" Damian ordered.
""She's armed and sitting in the armored transport with Arthur,"" Sophia replied. ""Don't worry about her. Worry about getting into that room alive.""
The helicopter banked sharply against the turbulence. The cargo ramp dropped, flooding the interior with howling winds and freezing drizzle. Below them lay the rooftop helipad of the tower—patrolled by four guards carrying automatic weapons.
""Go,"" Damian commanded.
The team deployed onto the wet concrete like shadows. Before the guards could raise an alarm, Mateo’s silenced weapon fired twice. Damian dropped a third guard with a single shot to the chest, while the fourth was tackled to the ground by an operative.
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Damian approached the roof access door, pulling a small thermite charge from his belt. ""Blow the hinges.""
The charge flared with blinding white heat. Damian kicked the door inward, plunging into the stairwell leading directly into the lion's mouth.
