Chapter 20
Two hours later, a heavily armored Vanguard convoy idled outside the hospital's secure basement exit. The rain had stopped, leaving the city streets slick and glistening under the glow of the streetlights.
Ethan walked beside Emma’s specialized transport wheelchair, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. Two Vanguard medics carried the twins in secure, bulletproof travel bassinets. Carla followed closely behind, clutching a small travel bag.
"We're going to our safe house in the mountains," Ethan told Emma, his voice filled with the promise of peace. "It has its own security grid, medical facilities, and no one knows it exists. We can finally rest."
"It sounds perfect," Emma smiled, leaning her head against his arm.
As they approached the reinforced armored SUV, Ethan’s secure satellite phone vibrated in his tactical vest. He frowned, pulling the device from his pocket. The caller ID was masked, displaying a long string of encrypted numbers.
Ethan held up a hand, signaling the Vanguard operatives to halt. He answered the call, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Walker," Ethan said flatly.
"Congratulations on your victory tonight, Ethan," a distorted, synthesized voice whispered through the line. "You defeated Victor, and you exposed our financial ledger to the authorities. A brilliant tactical maneuver."
Ethan’s blood ran ice cold. "Who is this?"
"Did you really think the Serpent only had one head?" the voice mocked softly. "You destroyed our banking sector, yes. But you missed our intelligence division. And unfortunately for you, they have been very busy while you were playing hero at the hospital."
"I have my wife and my children," Ethan growled, his hand drifting toward his sidearm. "You have nothing to leverage against me."
"Oh, we don't need your wife," the voice chuckled darkly. "But you might want to check on the Vanguard sniper team currently stationed on the roof of your mountain safe house. Because as of three minutes ago, they stopped reporting to you, and started reporting to us."
May you like
The line went dead with a hollow click.
Ethan slowly lowered the phone, staring out into the dark, wet streets of the city, realizing the war had only just begun.
