Chapter 20
"They attempted to take me hostage, Mr. Blackwell," Lucy reported, lowering her weapon as Marcus and the elite operators secured the surviving mercenaries. "They claimed allegiance to the Chicago remnant." Ethan’s sharply defined jawline tightened, the artistic tattoos on his hands flexed as he adjusted the cuffs of his dark, tailored suit. "The Chicago remnant believes they can operate in my city without consequence," Ethan whispered softly, his voice a low, vibrating hum of absolute danger. He walked over to the kneeling mercenaries. He did not yell or threaten. His deeply masculine, terrifying presence was enough to paralyze them. "Who authorized this strike?" Ethan asked, his volume incredibly low. The mercenary wept, trembling violently. "A man named Julian Vance! He’s operating out of a luxury penthouse in the Azure Tower! Please, we were just following orders!" Ethan’s dark, perceptive eyes narrowed into lethal slits. "Your orders... have expired." He nodded to Marcus. The suppressed shots were immediate and final. Ethan turned back to Lucy. "Return to the estate. Ensure Claire is secure. I am going to the Azure Tower. It is time to eradicate this infection."
