Chapter 7 - The Ambush in the Pines
A twig snapped outside.
Silas spun around, leveling his weapon at the shattered doorway.
Mercer's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Boss, we have company. Six hostiles, heavily armed, moving in on your position."
"The boys?" Silas hissed.
"I'm falling back to them now. But we're pinned down."
Silas didn't hesitate. He kicked a lantern into the smoldering fireplace, grabbed a kerosene canister, and poured it over the flames. He needed a distraction, something loud and bright to draw their fire.
He threw himself through the back window just as the front of the cabin erupted in a spectacular fireball.
Gunfire tore through the woods, shredding bark and branches. Silas moved through the shadows with lethal precision. He wasn't just a CEO; before he built his empire, Silas had survived the cutthroat streets of South Boston. He knew how to fight in the dark.
He flanked the mercenaries. Two quick, suppressed shots dropped the first pair.
He heard a shout near the boulder where he had left the boys.
Silas sprinted, his blood roaring in his ears.
A massive mercenary had Mercer pinned to the ground and was advancing toward the rock where Elias was standing protectively in front of his crying brother.
Silas didn't shoot—the angle was too risky. He tackled the man at full speed. They tumbled down a muddy embankment, crashing into a ravine.
The mercenary pulled a combat knife, slashing wildly. Silas caught the man's wrist, twisting it until a sickening crack echoed in the ravine. He disarmed the man and delivered a brutal strike to his temple, knocking him out cold.
Panting, covered in mud and blood, Silas scrambled back up the hill.
"Elias! Tobias!"
"We're here!" Elias yelled.
Silas reached them, dropping his gun and pulling them both into a crushing embrace.
"You're safe," Silas breathed. "I've got you."
May you like
Then, a voice cut through the rain.
"Silas?"
