Chapter 31 - Betrayal in the Ranks|
Natalie stumbled out of the basement, her mind fracturing under the weight of the revelation. The blood of a cartel warlord flowed in her veins. The man who had hunted her father, who had ordered the hit at the gala, was her own flesh and blood.
“Natalie, breathe,” Ethan grabbed her shoulders as she reached the hallway, his eyes full of concern. “It doesn't matter whose blood you have. You are Arthur’s daughter. He raised you.”
“He died because of me,” she choked out, pushing Ethan away. “Victor wanted his heir back.”
Silas stepped out of the shadows, his expression grim. “Victor doesn't care about family, Natalie. He cares about the master key and the ledger. You are an obstacle to him now. We need to move. The safehouse is compromised.”
“Compromised? How?” Ethan demanded, his hand reaching for his sidearm.
“Marcus was killed by a sniper from a mile away,” Silas said coldly, looking at Ethan. “Victor knew exactly where Marcus would be. And more importantly, Victor’s men are currently breaching our outer perimeter. Someone gave them our coordinates.”
Before Ethan could react, one of Silas’s trusted tactical guards—a man named Kael who had been guarding the front door—suddenly raised his assault rifle, aiming directly at Natalie’s back.
“Victor sends his regards, Princess,” Kael sneered.
May you like
“No!” Ethan roared. He threw himself in front of Natalie just as Kael pulled the trigger. The deafening roar of gunfire filled the narrow hallway. Ethan jerked violently as three bullets tore through his tactical vest and into his shoulder and side.
Silas drew his weapon with lightning speed and shot Kael cleanly through the forehead. The traitor dropped dead, but the damage was done. Ethan collapsed to the floor in a pool of blood, gasping for air.
