2025-11-06 04:33:40Headlights carved golden tunnels through dripping darkness as the Suburban was completely engulfed by the subway tube. Overhead, corroded pipes plinked with water. Alexander killed the engine next to a platform covered with graffiti. The air tasted of old pennies and mold.
The girl's head lolled on Tatiana's shoulder as she carried her down the stairs. Cole soaked the former Ranger's side with blood as he supported Grayson. The woman staggered, her face swelling, as Victoria pulled her by the zip-ties.
A maintenance door was kicked open by Alexander. Inside are monitors flickering with city feeds, folding tables, and buzzing generators. He strapped Lucy's ankles and threw her onto a metal chair.
"Speak," he said in a flat voice.
Lucy's lip broke, gushing blood. Benjamin first appeared at the shelter three years ago. claimed that if I monitored Tatiana, he would locate Jacob. fed him every bedtime tale and every word from his "daddy."
Mira's blanket caused Tatiana's knuckles to turn white. "You put my daughter to sleep at night?"
"Had to." Lucy's chuckle broke. Diapers were paid for by him. said that it was only transitory.
Alexander cut her left tie with a knife. Jacob's place. Right now.
“Glen Burnie, foster home. Oak Lane, 1427. Carla Ruiz is a social worker. Lucy begged with her eyes. "All I wanted was my boy."
The shirt was ripped back, and Grayson slumped against a table. Raw meat gleamed from the gaping slash. "Needle. thread. Whisky.
Cole tossed a flask and dug through a medical kit. With one hand, Grayson grabbed it, took a sip, and then poured the remainder over the wound. He threaded a crooked needle while hissing.
Victoria's shoulder wound crusted as she leaned against the wall. "Benjamin's bastard is ahead of schedule. We receive Mira's antidote regimen in exchange for Jacob.
After brushing the girl's curls off her forehead, Tatiana placed Mira on a cot. She is clammy. The fever is rising.
Alexander knelt down and touched Mira's neck with two fingers. The pulse was too quick. Regarding the dosage, Harrison is lying. He desires that we pursue ghosts.
Lucy's voice cracked. "If I don't check in by dawn, he'll kill Jacob."
Cole looked at his timepiece. "Four hours."
With his knife still in his hand, Alexander stood. "After that, we proceed."
Tatiana was in his way. "You're bleeding." Warm and moist, his shirt adhered to his ribs when she caressed them. "When?"
"Water tower." I was grazed by the sniper. He gave a shrug. "Adrenaline."
She tore open his shirt. There was an oozing furrow along his ribcage. "Take a seat."
He complied. She used vodka to disinfect the wound and used steady hands to suture it. There was a groan with every draw of thread.
With a needle piercing his own flesh, Grayson observed. "Are you two finished acting like doctors?"
Tatiana bit the thread and tied off the suture. "You live, he lives."
Victoria moved away from the wall. Lucy will go with me. If we push it, Glen Burnie takes an hour.
Alexander gave a headshake. "Everyone leaves. Harrison anticipates a lone wolf.
Cole put new magazines in. Van is gassed. The drone is charged. We roll at five o'clock.
Mira, blanket and everything, was hoisted by Tatiana. "Ghost Daddy," the girl muttered as she stirred.
Alexander bowed his chest. He gave her a temple kiss. "Baby, I'm here."
In Cole's pocket, Lucy's burner buzzed. He threw it over. Unknown figure. Alexander replied.
Harrison's arrogant voice. "Tick-tock. She's getting pale.
The plastic in Alexander's grip broke. "Oak Lane." Dawn. Bring Jacob.
Bring the patents with you. transferred to Benjamin. Or the child receives a gunshot along with her breakfast.
The call went dead.
Tatiana had fire in her eyes. "He's playing a bluff."
"No," Lucy said in a whisper. "He isn't."
After tying his stitches, Grayson got up. "We confront him with the fight."
Victoria looked at her handgun. "I am aware of a shortcut. old freight line. saves twenty minutes.
Cole put the medical gear on. "Let's go."
With boots resounding, they filed out. Tatiana and Mira were carried by Alexander. With zip-ties slicing red lines onto her wrists, Lucy moved between Victoria and Cole.
The Suburban sprang to life with a roar. The tunnel was pierced by headlights. Tires wailing on damp concrete, Cole floored it.
On the gearshift, Tatiana's hand touched Alexander's. Sweat and blood slickened their intertwined fingers.
"After this, we vanish," she stated. island. No masks.
He gave a squeeze. "Make a commitment."
They were spewed onto the parkway from the tunnel. The lights of D.C. flickered by. The screen of the drone controller glowed as Grayson keyed it. "Harrison's van recently went beyond the county boundary. He's going north.
Tires screeching, Cole made a sharp right turn. "We will stop him at the overpass."
Victoria bent over. Carla Ruiz. social worker. She works for Benjamin, right?
Lucy gave a nod. "Half the foster system belongs to him."
Tatiana spoke in an icy tone. "So tonight, we own her."
Mira's eyelids fluttered wide as she stirred. "Mom?"
Tatiana gave her face a little pat. "Shhh. Rest, sweetheart.
As Alexander changed gears, his shirt rode up. Radiation scars glowed beneath him like molten rivers, and fresh ink poured across his chest, writing MIRA in bold script.
Tatiana gasped for air. "When?"
"Blackridge. each anniversary. His voice broke. "Maintained my sanity."
Her fingers were shaking as she traced the letters. She braced herself on his shoulder when the car struck a pothole.
The drone feed for Grayson pings. Harrison has halted. Route 50: abandoned warehouse. One adult and one child's heat signatures are displayed by the thermal.
Cole smiled. "Ambush."
Victoria courted by cocking her pistol. "My favorite."
With its headlights off and it getting dark, the Suburban roared into the night.
Moments later, Tatiana raced through the warehouse doors, her gaze fixed on the ink.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 13: Radiation Confession
The air was heavy with the sterile smell of antiseptic. The heart monitor's steady beeping reverberated across the otherwise quiet room as Grayson lay in the hospital bed. Every breath seemed to be an extraordinary effort, and his body felt heavier than usual. He could feel it, the poison was working its way through his veins, his every cell screaming in pain. His mind was as sharp as ever, but his body was shutting down. Tatiana was standing next to him, staring at him with a mix of worry and something more intense flitting in her eyes. She had supported him through more difficult times, watched him fight in conflicts, and stood by him through innumerable crises, but now there was a strange weight between them. Both of them were aware that time was running out. A new wave of sickness struck Grayson, causing his face to twist in agony and his fingers to twitch feebly. He tried to sit up, but his body revolted, and he sank back into the pillows with a groan. "Stop, Grayson
Chapter 12: Ledger Ghosts
Isabella Montgomery's fingers sped over the keyboard like lightening. Each instruction and keystroke was a deliberate blow, a direct assault on Benjamin Whitaker's kingdom. She wasn't merely breaking into the system; she was destroying the basis of his fortune. "Done," she whispered to herself as the final upload concluded. Her screen came to life, verifying that all of the major outlets were now using the altered financial information. The world was about to discover Benjamin's dark secret—his money-laundering schemes masquerading as charitable organizations for kids. Breathing deeply, she slumped back in her chair as the moment's truth set in. It was finished. The evidence was visible. The world would be aware of Benjamin's actions. A crystal decanter broke against the wall in Benjamin Whitaker's luxury suite across town. The piercing boom reverberated throughout the opulent room as glass fragments were strewn all over the floor. With his fist gripped so tightly that it
Chapter 11: Hospital Shadows
The gentle hum of equipment blended with the sterile fragrance of the intensive care unit. Grayson's body was in ruins, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, and the cardiac monitor's constant beeping abruptly stopped. A nurse's hands were shaking as she rushed for the defibrillator, and the seconds flew by. He froze. The air seemed to hold its breath, and his chest froze. After a few stressful moments, his heart was brought back to life by a powerful electrical surge that surged through his body. Fighting the pressure in his head, his eyelids flickered open, albeit unfocused. His senses were dull, his limbs were weak, and the room appeared to be a blur. The voice said, "Come on, Grayson, stay with us," above the mist. It belonged to Victoria Langford; it was sleek and dominant. Always in charge. With his teeth clinched, Grayson said, "Don't think... you can get rid of me yet," She whispered, "Get a grip," as she smoothed his wet hair back. Even when a man she
Chapter 10: Knife in the Dark
Like a tomb, the warehouse doors yawned open. Alexander coasted on momentum until gravel crunched beneath the tires after killing the Suburban's engine two blocks out. With his mask tight and his scar aching, he ventured out into the darkness. With Mira's weight pressing heavily against her chest in the sling, Tatiana trailed behind, Glock lifted. Lucy's zip-ties were rattling with each stumble, and Cole and Victoria were at her sides. Despite the pain, Grayson brought up the rear with his AR-15 solid and his side bandaged tightly.Alexander had a buzzing burner. Bring the patents, Harrison. She may also bleed.He smashed the phone and threw away the pieces. "No bargain."When Tatiana noticed the ink leaking through his shirt, her gaze shifted. "You're on fire.""Later." He gestured ahead.Boots silent on crumbling concrete, they crept through a side door. Broken skylights striped the floor with moonlight. The smell of rat droppings and grease filled the air.On his wrist tablet, Gray
Chapter 9: Nanny’s Lie
Headlights carved golden tunnels through dripping darkness as the Suburban was completely engulfed by the subway tube. Overhead, corroded pipes plinked with water. Alexander killed the engine next to a platform covered with graffiti. The air tasted of old pennies and mold.The girl's head lolled on Tatiana's shoulder as she carried her down the stairs. Cole soaked the former Ranger's side with blood as he supported Grayson. The woman staggered, her face swelling, as Victoria pulled her by the zip-ties.A maintenance door was kicked open by Alexander. Inside are monitors flickering with city feeds, folding tables, and buzzing generators. He strapped Lucy's ankles and threw her onto a metal chair."Speak," he said in a flat voice.Lucy's lip broke, gushing blood. Benjamin first appeared at the shelter three years ago. claimed that if I monitored Tatiana, he would locate Jacob. fed him every bedtime tale and every word from his "daddy."Mira's blanket caused Tatiana's knuckles to turn wh
Chapter 8: Safehouse Siege
The safehouse door blew inward, sending shrapnel-like splinters flying. Barking from his AR-15, Grayson charged through the smoke. Flashes of muzzles swept through the dark living room. Before they cleared leather, two of Harrison's guards fell; one was shot three times in the chest, while the other was shot in the eye."Leave clear!" Grayson let out a yell.Alexander, Glock spraying fire, leaped the couch. With his knife out, a third guard sprang from the corridor. Alexander swerved and pushed the man's throat with his elbow. The cartilage crunched. The guard fell and gurgled.Mira gripped tightly as Tatiana ran past. "Basement!"Victoria kept her weapon steady and covered the back. "The stairs are really hot!"The drywall over her head was eaten by an automatic fire. She rolled and fired back two accurate rounds. With a lurch, the gunman on the landing fell down the stairs.The basement door was kicked open by Grayson. The air was stale, with bleach, mildew, and fear. Lucy Martin wa
