Chapter 8 - The Descent
The blinding red smoke billowed through the narrow hallway like an infernal cloud. The gunman coughed violently, firing blindly into the haze, the deafening cracks echoing off the cramped cedar walls. Hector shouted curses from the living room, ordering his man to cease fire to avoid igniting the dry timber.
Julian used the temporary blindness to return to the bathroom. He lifted Maya first. ""Hold your breath, sweetheart. It’s like a water slide at the park, okay? Mommy is coming right behind you.""
The little girl nodded bravely, her tiny lips trembling. Julian lowered her into the slick, inclined concrete flume, letting her slide down into the darkness until he heard a soft splash and a muffled call from below.
""Elena, go,"" Julian urged, helping her over the rim of the iron opening.
Elena groaned as another contraction tore through her abdomen. Her body was trembling violently, but the instinct to protect her children overrode the agonizing pain. She gripped the edges of the chute, looking up at Julian through the thickening smoke.
""You promised my father you would protect me,"" she whispered, her voice choked with smoke and emotion. ""Keep your promise. Come with us.""
""I’ll be right behind you,"" Julian lied smoothly.
He released her hands. Elena slid into the black chute, her ivory gown disappearing into the subterranean shadows. The moment she vanished, Julian reached down, seized the iron ring, and slammed the heavy metal trapdoor shut, kicking the bathroom rug over it to mask the seams.
He turned toward the doorway just as the red smoke began to thin. The tactical operative burst into the room, assault rifle raised to his shoulder. Julian didn’t try to dodge. He lunged forward, closing the distance before the man could bring the barrel to bear, driving his body into the operative’s chest and sending them both crashing against the cracked bathroom mirror.
Glass exploded in every direction. Julian grabbed the operative's wrist, twisting the rifle downward as a burst of automatic rounds tore through the floorboards. With his free hand, Julian drew his revolver and pressed the muzzle beneath the man's chin, pulling the trigger on his final round.
The operative went limp instantly, collapsing onto the bloody tiles.
Julian stood, chest heaving, his hands trembling with adrenaline. He turned to leave, but as he crossed the threshold back into the living room, a heavy steel crowbar smashed across his left knee with sickening force. Julian collapsed to the floor, agony screaming up his leg, his vision graying at the edges.
May you like
Hector Ruiz stood over him, holding the crowbar, a cruel, measured smile stretching across his face.
""Very noble, Detective,"" Hector purred, tossing the crowbar aside and drawing an ivory-handled revolver from his coat. ""Now, where did my sister-in-law go?""
