Chapter 23
The quiet hum of the estate grounds was suddenly shattered by the aggressive roar of a black SUV engine speeding up the long driveway.
The vehicle screeched to a halt at the base of the front steps, its doors flying open in unison.
Four armed mercenaries stepped out, holding a tied-up man between them whose face was wrapped in bloody bandages.
From the driver's seat stepped a tall, silver-haired man wearing a dark trench coat and a cold, calculating grin.
It was Arthur Cross, alive and standing on American soil, holding a burner phone connected to an open speaker line.
"Drop your weapon, Ethan, or you'll never see your little girl draw another breath," Arthur announced smoothly across the lawn.
Ethan slowly reached beneath his navy blue suit jacket, his dark eyes locking onto Arthur with absolute, unrelenting menace.
May you like
He pulled his sidearm out, letting it drop to the grass before stepping forward into the morning fog.
"You made the biggest mistake of your life coming here, Arthur," Ethan whispered as his finger hovered near his hidden ankle blade.
