Chapter 24: Blood and Mud
Chapter 24: Blood and Mud
"You can't shoot me and keep her secure from the fall, Daniel," Arthur said, stepping forward anyway, his boots sinking into the thick Ohio mud. "You're a tactical man. You know the angles. The moment you pull that trigger, my momentum carries this blade through your carotid artery. Then who saves your daughter?"
Mercer’s finger hesitated on the trigger.
Sarah looked between the two men—two killers trapped in a storm, bartering over the lives of two innocent daughters. "Arthur... Julian told me about the Sterling name. Is it true? Are you here to take my baby?"
Arthur’s eyes shifted to Sarah for a split second, a flash of genuine pain crossing his rugged features. "James lied to both of us, Sarah. But I am not here for the Vance legacy. I am here because I promised Leo I would keep you breathing."
"He's lying!" Mercer shouted. "The board just issued a red-notice on the Vance network. Anyone associated with the Sterling name is considered an active threat to the state department. Arthur is clean-up!"
Suddenly, Mercer’s radio crackled to life. Julian’s voice emerged through the static, loud and clear.
"Mercer. The Colonel followed you. Eliminate him now. The assets have already been redirected. The vault is secondary. Kill the bloodline."
Mercer looked at the radio, then at the baby in Sarah’s arms. The professional assassin swallowed hard. He looked at Arthur.
"The deal changed," Mercer muttered. "He's going to kill my girl anyway."
In a sudden motion, Mercer turned his weapon away from Arthur and fired a full burst into the tree line behind them.
May you like
Three figures dressed in black tactical gear fell from the brush, their own weapons firing blindly as they collapsed into the mud. Julian hadn't trusted Mercer. He had sent a second team to finish everyone.
"Get her out of here!" Mercer roared, throwing Sarah toward Arthur as a second wave of gunfire erupted from the darkness.
