Chapter 5 - The Midnight Breach
The grandfather clock in the grand hallway chimed exactly midnight.
The massive Kane estate was entirely quiet, guarded only by the corrupt men Sterling had hired to replace Everett's loyal soldiers.
Everett and Willa stood in the dark shadows of the master bedroom, waiting for the extraction team to arrive.
Suddenly, the encrypted satellite phone in Everett's pocket vibrated once.
"Marco is at the perimeter," Everett whispered, looking out the large bay window.
Four black, unmarked SUVs rolled silently up the long, winding driveway with their headlights completely turned off.
Dozens of heavily armed, fiercely loyal men poured out of the vehicles, moving with terrifying, military precision.
They completely bypassed the main gate, utilizing the hidden tactical entry points that Everett had designed himself.
"It is time," Everett said, turning toward the heavy oak bedroom door.
He placed his hand on the doorknob, pausing for a single fraction of a second.
He looked back at Willa, who was trembling with fear but standing incredibly brave in her cheap, worn shoes.
"You saved my life, Willa," Everett said, his voice thick with raw, unrestrained emotion.
"I will never forget that."
He pulled the door open, stepping out into the brightly lit hallway.
The private guard stationed outside the bedroom turned around, completely shocked to see the "comatose" boss standing there.
Before the guard could even reach for his weapon, Everett raised his suppressed handgun and fired twice.
The guard collapsed instantly to the marble floor, completely neutralized.
"Move," Everett ordered Willa, grabbing her hand and leading her down the grand staircase.
As they reached the main foyer, the front doors burst open, and Marco stormed inside with his heavily armed squad.
"Boss!" Marco shouted, pure joy and absolute relief evident on his scarred face.
"Secure the perimeter, take no prisoners from Sterling's crew," Everett commanded ruthlessly.
"Where is my cousin?"
"He is in the main dining room, celebrating with Dr. Whitfield and the estate lawyers," Marco reported.
Everett's eyes went completely dark, devoid of any human mercy or hesitation.
"Keep Willa safe," Everett ordered Marco, handing her over to the protective wall of loyal soldiers.
"I am going to crash the party."
Everett walked toward the heavy, closed doors of the dining room, his boots making a slow, deliberate sound on the polished marble floor.
He did not kick the doors open; he simply turned the handle and pushed them wide.
Sterling Kane was standing at the head of the long table, holding a crystal glass of expensive bourbon, laughing loudly at a joke Whitfield had just told.
May you like
The laughter died instantly as the room turned to look at the doorway.
Sterling's glass slipped from his fingers, shattering loudly against the floor, exactly like his pathetic illusion of power.
