Chapter 10 - The Bedside Trap
My blood ran instantly cold. The air in the underground bunker seemed to vanish from my lungs.
“Trace that signal, Julian!” I barked, lunging toward the console. “Find the relay point!”
“I—I can’t! My hands are shaking too much—” Julian stammered, staring at the screen in pure terror as the digitized voice continued to echo off the concrete walls.
“Dr. Bennett is doing her best to keep her stable,” the synthetic voice droned smoothly, carrying an eerie, mocking cadence. “Unfortunately, intravenous saline is easily substituted with something a bit more permanent when security isn't paying attention. You have twenty minutes before the monitor flatlines for good, Luke. Bring the briefcase to Pier 4, or you won't have a child left to name.”
The screen went black.
“No,” I growled, grabbing the leather briefcase off the desk and slamming the heavy steel latches shut.
“Luke, wait!” Julian grabbed my arm as I turned toward the bulkhead door. “If you go back out there, it’s a trap! They’re waiting for you at the pier with an entire tactical battalion!”
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“If I stay down here, Elena dies,” I said, my voice dropping into a register so dark and lethal that even Julian stepped back, releasing his grip. “And if anyone touches her, I won't just burn down this city’s syndicates—I’ll tear every last brick of their empire down to the dirt.”
I didn't wait for him to follow. I sprinted out of the bunker, slamming the heavy iron bulkhead shut behind me, and charged up the utility stairs toward the surface, the briefcase gripped tightly in my right hand and my finger resting steadily on the trigger of my Glock.
