Chapter 6 - The Enforcer
“Step away from the shaft, Mr. Sterling,” Marcus said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. His immaculate black suit showed none of the plaster dust that covered the others.
Richard didn't retreat. He shifted slightly, placing his broad torso between Marcus’s gun barrel and Liam. “Marcus. Ten years you’ve taken a salary from my family. You stood beside me at Julian’s memorial.”
“And your wife pays double what your family trust allocates for discretionary security,” Marcus replied smoothly, his thumb pulling back the hammer of the pistol. “Business is practical, Richard. Julian’s yacht wasn’t personal. This isn't personal either.”
“You knew Julian survived?” Richard asked, stalling, measuring the three feet of space between himself and the kitchen island.
“I knew the target survived when his tracker went active in Bern two weeks ago,” Marcus said. “Mrs. Sterling instructed me to clean up the oversight before the probate audit concluded next month. Now set the child down on the floor and put your hands behind your head.”
From the floor of the chute behind Richard, Julian’s voice did not come. Instead, a metallic clatter echoed from the ventilation intake directly behind Marcus.
Marcus flicked his eyes toward the sound for a microsecond.
It was all the opening Richard needed. He drove his shoulder straight into Marcus’s midsection, using his full momentum to slam the armed guard against the wooden shelving. Jars of preserved oil and vinegar shattered onto the floor, spraying liquid and shards of glass across the tiles.
The gun fired once with an ear-splitting crack, the bullet embedding itself into the pantry ceiling.
Claire lunged instantly, grabbing Liam from the edge of the shelf where Richard had shielded him, and scrambled backward into the chute. She didn't calculate the drop. She clutched Liam to her chest and stepped into empty air.
May you like
Strong arms caught her out of the darkness, breaking the impact as she struck the concrete floor below. Julian absorbed the brunt of the fall, grunting as his knees buckled against the hard floor.
Above them, another gunshot echoed, followed by the heavy, sickening sound of a body collapsing onto broken glass.
