Chapter 19 - The Exposed Council
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Before Mark could react to my words, a sharp flare cut through the fog above the treeline.
The deafening roar of tactical helicopter blades shattered the silence of the forest.
Searchlights flooded the clearing, blinding Mark and his mercenaries. Four tactical response helicopters lowered through the fog, bearing the official crest of Teresa Vitale’s security force and international law enforcement units.
“Drop your weapons immediately!” a loudspeaker thundered from the lead helicopter. “You are completely surrounded!”
Dozens of elite tactical officers rappelled down ropes, landing in the clearing with heavy weapons drawn.
Mark Kresnik stared around in utter shock as his mercenaries raised their hands in immediate surrender.
Teresa Vitale herself stepped out from behind a line of tactical officers, holding an encrypted tracking receiver.
“Did you really believe we wouldn't track a rogue mercenary convoy crossing state lines, Mark?” Teresa asked coolly.
Alexander pulled me close, breathing a massive sigh of relief as tactical officers secured the clearing.
Joseph sprinted up the rocky path, holding a satellite phone. “Alex! The international task force just raided Mark Kresnik’s safehouses in Europe. His entire network is neutralized!”
Mark was cuffed and dragged away toward the waiting transport vehicles, glaring at us with pure hatred.
Alexander looked at me, his eyes shining with boundless pride and gratitude.
“You held your ground,” he whispered, cupping my face.
May you like
“We held it together,” I corrected softly, kissing his lips amidst the roar of the helicopter engines.
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