Chapter 18 - The Final Translation
Before Vance’s finger could tighten on the trigger, Nora moved with blinding, unexpected speed.
She didn't aim for his chest; she fired a single, calculated shot that struck the heavy brass doorknob of Room 304, shattering the lock mechanism and swinging the door wide open.
Inside the room, a second mercenary was reaching for Tommy, who sat in his bed looking terrified.
Roman didn't hesitate. He fired twice through the open doorway, dropping the second mercenary instantly before he could harm the boy.
Vance spun around in shock, trying to level his pistol at Nora, but Roman closed the distance in a fraction of a second, driving the heavy steel barrel of his Sig Sauer upward into Vance’s chin with bone-cracking force.
Vance collapsed heavily onto the linoleum floor, his weapon clattering away into the corner.
Nora rushed past them into the room, throwing her arms around her brother. “Tommy! Are you okay?”
“Nora? What’s going on?” Thomas stammered, shaking in his bed. “Who were these men?”
“It’s over,” Nora whispered, burying her face in his shoulder as a wave of immense relief washed over her. “You’re safe now. We’re going home.”
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Out in the hallway, Roman stood over the groaning, bleeding form of Colonel Marcus Vance. He holstered his weapon, pulled out his encrypted satellite phone, and dialed a single number.
“Enzo? Bring the cleanup crew to St. Jude’s. We have an old military asset that needs permanent retirement.”
