Chapter 6 - Freefall in ZurichThe freezing air tore the breath from my lungs the second we tumbled out of the burning fuselage. The wind shrieked like a dying animal, whipping my hair across my face as I plummeted into the black, storm-tossed clouds. I remembered my martial arts training—core tight, limbs tucked, stabilize the descent.
Below me, the massive silhouette of Viktor pulled his ripcord, disappearing into the thick cloud cover. I searched frantically through the driving sleet and spotted Dominic tumbling gracefully just twenty yards to my left.
Now!
I slammed my hand down on the manual deployment handle.
BANG!
The canopy deployed with a bone-jarring jerk that nearly tore my shoulders from their sockets. The sudden deceleration left me gasping for air as the silk white parachute bloomed against the stormy night sky. I maneuvered the steering toggles, cutting through the heavy winds toward a sprawling, dark estate nestled along the snowy shoreline of Lake Zurich.
We hit the snow-covered lawn of a heavily fortified Swiss villa with bone-crushing force. I rolled, unclipped the harness instantly, and sprang to my feet, drawing the suppressed tactical pistol Viktor had shoved into my holster before we jumped.
Dominic landed fifty feet away, sliding across the snowy turf before coming to a halt. He stood up, brushing snow off his tailored suit jacket, completely unfazed.
"Welcome to Switzerland, Avery," Dominic muttered, spitting out a drop of blood from a split lip. "Your father's retirement home looks expensive."
Before we could reach the heavy oak front doors, floodlights suddenly blazed to life across the entire perimeter. Armed mercenaries in tactical gear poured out from the shadows, their assault rifles raised and aimed directly at our chests.
Stepping out from the center of the squad was a tall, silver-haired man wearing an expensive cashmere sweater, holding a martini glass as if he were attending a high-society gala.
May you like
It was Thomas Carter. My father.
"Well, well, well," my father said, his voice smooth, calm, and dripping with chilling condescension. "I leave America for eight years, and my sweet little delivery girl daughter turns into a syndicate hitman. I must say, Avery, your mother would be so disappointed."
