Chapter 11 - Darkness and ShadowsIn the sudden, absolute blackness of the penthouse, panic erupted among the intruders.
— Secure the targets! Flashlights on! — a gruff voice barked from the doorway, followed by the frantic clicking of weapon-mounted tactical lights sweeping across the room.
Beams of brilliant white light cut through the smoky darkness, bouncing off the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and casting chaotic shadows against the luxury furniture.
Julian backed toward the elevator, his voice dripping with frustration.
— Find him! Tear this place apart and bring me his head!
Arthur moved like a ghost through the familiar layout of his own home. He knew every square inch of the penthouse—every blind spot, every acoustic quirk, every hidden panel. He slipped behind a massive structural concrete pillar just as a burst of submachine gun fire chewed through the expensive leather sofa where he had been standing a moment before.
Wood splinters and feathers exploded into the air.
Arthur raised his firearm, waiting patiently for the strobe of the tactical lights to line up. He took a steadying breath, recalling the exact training he had undergone years ago before corporate life softened him.
A mercenary rounded the corner of the pillar, sweeping his flashlight forward.
Bang.
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A single, precise shot caught the mercenary’s weapon, knocking it violently from his grip, followed swiftly by a devastating elbow strike to the jaw that dropped the man unconscious onto the carpet.
Arthur stripped the fallen soldier’s tactical radio and rifle in seconds, blending back into the shadows like smoke.
