Chapter 44 - Protocol Archangel
Julian did not chase him. He picked up the encrypted phone, his mind working through a thousand tactical scenarios a second. Elias was right about one thing: The Directorate was not a gang of thugs. They possessed limitless resources, satellite surveillance, and an army of invisible operatives.
Julian walked back to the estate, slipping back into the house. He locked the heavy steel doors and walked upstairs to Lily’s room. He knocked twice.
"It's me, Lily."
She unlocked the door, holding a bowl of popcorn, her eyes bright and innocent.
"Is the generator fixed, Dad?"
Julian knelt to her eye level, his expression incredibly gentle. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Lily, listen to me very carefully. We are going to play a game. It's called Archangel. Do you remember the rules?"
Lily's smile faded, replaced by a serious, mature understanding that broke Julian's heart. He had trained her for this exact moment through disguised drills.
"I pack the black backpack. No electronics. No phones. We leave in five minutes," she recited flawlessly.
"Good girl," Julian whispered, kissing her forehead. "I'll be waiting in the garage."
May you like
Julian moved through the house with terrifying efficiency. He didn't pack clothes; he packed hard drives, forged passports, untraceable bearer bonds, and a heavy arsenal of weaponry. The Directorate thought they could force him back into a collar by threatening his daughter. They had fundamentally miscalculated.
They wanted the lethal assassin back. Julian was going to give him to them.
