127 The Final Reckoning: A Decorated Veteran’s Vengeance, a Corrupt Syndicate’s Fall, and the Midnight Battle to Save a Daughter

Elections of fear vanished from Evelyn’s pale face as she saw us standing in the doorway. She was sitting up against the propped pillows, her IV drip humming softly, the red laser dot entirely gone from her pillowcase.

“Oh, baby,” Eleanor gasped, dropping her pistol to the floor and rushing over to wrap her arms gently around our daughter, burying her face in Evelyn’s shoulder. “We’ve got you. You’re safe. We’re not letting anyone touch you.”

I stood guard in the doorway, keeping my eyes fixed down the empty corridor while keeping my foot planted on the chest of the groaning sniper on the floor.

“Are you okay, honey?” I asked, keeping my voice steady for her sake, though my heart was still hammering against my ribs.

Evelyn nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek, though her hands were still trembling slightly. “Some lady in a nurse’s uniform came in about ten minutes ago and told me to stay under the blanket because there was going to be a fire drill. Then I saw that red light shining on the wall... I was so scared, Dad.”

“That nurse won't be bothering anyone ever again,” I said coldly, pulling out my phone and dialing Detective Marcus Harris’s direct line.

It answered on the first ring.

“Hayes. Tell me you have good news,” Harris’s voice came through, sharp and urgent.

“I’m on the fourth floor of the county hospital,” I said, looking down at the two zip-tied mercenaries bleeding slightly on the linoleum. “We just neutralized two armed operatives from Victor Vance’s crew. And Nurse Higgins is currently facilitating an internal security breach on the south wing. Get a tactical team up here right now, Marcus. And bring an arrest warrant for hospital conspiracy.”

A heavy pause on the other end, followed by the sound of a car door slamming shut.

“I’m three minutes out, Lucas. Hold your position.”

I hung up the phone, stepping back inside the room just as Eleanor gently tucked Evelyn back down beneath the warm blankets.

“We need to get her out of this hospital tonight,” Eleanor said, looking up at me with fierce determination. “Victor knows where she is now. Even with police protection, I won't risk her safety here another minute.”

“I’ve already arranged a secure transport,” a familiar, gravelly voice echoed from the doorway behind us.

We spun around, weapons half-raised, before lowering them as a tall, imposing figure stepped into the room.