Chapter 2 - The Ambush
The underground garage echoed with the low, guttural purr of three armored black SUVs. Caruso stood by the center vehicle, his eyes scanning the shadows with hyper-vigilant intensity. Lena guided Isabella into the backseat, adjusting the portable oxygen concentrator with practiced, steady hands.
Marco slid into the passenger seat of their SUV, his heavy tactical vest visible beneath his open coat. He checked the magazine of a matte-black Glock before sliding it back into his shoulder holster. "Move out," he commanded over the radio.
The convoy surged onto the slick, rain-drenched streets of Chicago. For fifteen minutes, the city was a blur of neon lights and heavy downpour. Lena kept her eyes on Isabella’s pulse oximeter, forcing her breathing to remain slow and even.
Then, the world exploded.
A deafening roar shook the SUV as a ten-wheel tow truck barreled out of a blind alley, slamming directly into their lead vehicle. The explosion of glass and metal was instantaneous. Their driver slammed on the brakes, throwing Lena against the partition, just as automated gunfire erupted from the rooftops above.
"Ambush! Keep her down!" Marco roared, drawing his weapon as the SUV's bulletproof glass began to spiderweb under a hail of high-caliber rounds.
Caruso returned fire from the front seat, swearing viciously. "They knew the route, Boss! This was a direct leak!"
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Outside, shadows moved through the pouring rain—tactical shooters advancing with terrifying precision. Marco kicked his door open, using the armored frame as cover as he unleashed a lethal volley of return fire. "We have to move! The armor won't hold against armor-piercing rounds! Caruso, get the side door open now!"
Lena grabbed Isabella by the shoulders, pulling the elderly woman down into the footwell. The air smelled of cordite, burning rubber, and copper. For the first time, Lena realized that silence would no longer be enough to save them.
