Chapter 9 - The Riverbank Trap
The rusted iron rungs felt icy cold beneath Julian’s fingers as he climbed upward, hoisting his tired body toward the surface. Pushing against the heavy iron manhole cover, he shoved it aside with a loud, metallic clatter that echoed through the misty night air. Cool, damp wind hit his face instantly.
Julian pulled himself out of the subterranean shaft, coughing slightly as he took in the foggy landscape. They had surfaced near the edge of the estate’s private boat dock, where the wide, dark river swept past under a canopy of weeping willow trees. The wedding venue was just a couple hundred yards up the grassy slope, its brilliant chandeliers still glowing mockingly through the shattered ballroom windows.
“Come on, grab my hand,” Julian whispered, reaching back down into the dark shaft to haul Leo up onto the muddy grass.
Marcus emerged right behind them, his face pale and slick with cold sweat from the blood loss. He collapsed onto his knees beside a thick oak stump, gasping for breath.
“We need a car,” Marcus managed to say, clutching his bleeding side. “My vehicle is parked down by the boathouse.”
“Can you walk?” Julian asked, helping Marcus up by his good arm.
“I have to,” Marcus replied grimly.
They scrambled down the muddy embankment toward the small wooden boathouse tucked away in the shadows of the willows. Julian kept one arm around Marcus while holding Leo close with the other, his heart pounding in his throat. Every shadow looked like a tactical operative; every rustle of the wind sounded like a suppressed gunshot.
They reached the side door of the boathouse. Marcus fumbled in his coat pocket, pulling out a heavy set of keys and unlocking the wooden padlock with trembling fingers. The door creaked open, revealing the sleek silhouette of Marcus’s black SUV parked inside the dry dock.
Julian bundled Leo into the back seat, fastening the boy’s seatbelt securely before sliding into the front passenger seat. Marcus threw himself into the driver's seat, shoving the key into the ignition and turning it hard.
The engine roared to life, its deep purr sounding like music to their ears. Marcus threw the gear into reverse, preparing to back out of the boathouse.
Suddenly, the dual high beams of an oncoming vehicle cut through the fog outside, blinding them completely. A heavy black armored transport truck blocked the narrow gravel access road, its engine idling with an intimidating, heavy growl.
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Marcus slammed on the brakes, his eyes widening in horror as the doors of the armored truck swung open, revealing four armed operatives stepping out into the fog.
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