Chapter 5 - The Trap Closes
Heavy footsteps echoed down the marble hallway outside the library.
"Check the security monitors," Arthur’s raspy voice barked to his bodyguard. "The power glitch in the east wing felt suspicious."
I slid behind the heavy velvet curtains near the balcony door, clutching the stolen files to my chest. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
The library door creaked open. The lights flickered on.
Arthur walked into the room, followed by his chief head of security—a ruthless ex-mercenary named Knox. Knox was six-foot-four, with a scarred neck and a cold, mechanical gaze.
Knox walked straight to the painting. It was slightly askew. He pulled out his handgun, flicking off the safety with a sharp CLICK.
"Someone touched the safe, Boss," Knox said quietly.
"Find them," Arthur snapped. "And kill them. No questions."
Knox stepped toward the balcony curtains. Through the gap in the fabric, I saw the black barrel of his suppressed pistol rising toward my eye level.
I didn't wait. I shoved the heavy brass floor lamp into Knox’s face with all my strength.
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He roared in surprise as the lamp struck his forehead, sending him stumbling back onto the glass coffee table, which shattered into a thousand pieces.
I threw open the balcony doors and leaped over the stone balustrade into the pouring rain below, landing hard on the muddy lawn, rolling as bullets tore through the air above my head.
