Chapter 17 - The Blood on the Snow
The failed assassination attempt at the estate was a massive, humiliating defeat for Marcus Thorne.
Everett and his men spent the next hour completely clearing the property, executing any remaining mercenaries foolish enough to surrender.
The beautiful, snow-covered gardens were stained dark red, a brutal testament to the unbreakable power of the Chicago syndicate.
Everett walked back into the grand library, wiping soot and blood from his expensive suit.
Willa emerged from the panic room holding Leo, completely safe and entirely untouched by the violence.
Everett wrapped them both in a massive, fierce embrace, burying his face in his son’s soft hair.
But the encrypted satellite phone on the heavy oak desk suddenly began to vibrate violently.
Everett answered the call, putting it on speakerphone so Marco and Willa could hear.
"You survived the night, Kane," Marcus Thorne’s arrogant, venomous voice echoed through the library.
"I am incredibly impressed."
"Your hired thugs are bleeding out in my garden, Marcus," Everett stated coldly.
"You have completely failed."
Marcus laughed, a dark, terrifying sound that made Willa’s blood run completely ice-cold.
"I didn't send them to kill you, Everett," Marcus revealed with absolute, unadulterated malice.
"I sent them to keep you busy while my main force secured the real target."
"I am currently sitting in the lobby of your wife's beautiful downtown charity clinic."
"I have forty of your doctors and nurses held hostage, completely wired with military-grade explosives."
Willa gasped, dropping her hand over her mouth in sheer horror.
The innocent people who had dedicated their lives to helping the vulnerable were now trapped in a massive, lethal hostage situation.
"If you do not surrender yourself to me alone within thirty minutes, I will detonate the building and completely destroy your wife’s legacy," Marcus promised.
The line went completely dead.
Everett stared at the phone, a dark, terrifying calmness washing over his entire body.
He looked at Willa, his dark eyes entirely devoid of human emotion, replaced by the absolute, lethal instinct of an apex predator.
"Keep Leo safe," Everett commanded Marco, grabbing extra magazines for his heavy weapon.
"You are not going alone, Everett!" Willa protested, grabbing his arm tightly.
"It is an absolute suicide trap!"
"I am the monster who owns this city, Willa," Everett whispered softly, kissing her trembling lips.
May you like
"And nobody touches your clinic."
Everett walked out into the freezing snow, completely ready to tear Marcus Thorne apart with his bare hands.
