Chapter 28 - The Siege of the Mountain Lodge
The storm hit the Rockies just as the first black-matte helicopters appeared over the snow-covered ridge.
Heavy, blinding snow began to swirl across the valley, howling through the pine trees like a pack of starving wolves. Inside the timber lodge, the lights flickered once before stabilizing on backup generator power.
“They’re bypassing the lower perimeter gates,” Mateo reported from the tactical console in the corner of the living room, his fingers flying across the holographic interface. “Thermal imaging shows twenty-four operatives fast-roping down onto the ridge trail. They’re moving fast.”
“They want to take the lodge before the storm grounds their extraction chopper,” Adrian said, pulling a heavy tactical vest over his black sweater and locking a fresh magazine into his carbine. He turned to me, his eyes burning with an intense, fierce love. “Sophia. Take the children down to the reinforced vault beneath the wine cellar. Lock the door from the inside and don't open it for anyone except me or Mateo.”
“No, Adrian,” I said, stepping forward, my hand resting firmly on the grip of my Glock. “I’m not hiding in the cellar while you fight an army on the porch. I am staying right here.”
Adrian looked like he wanted to argue, but the fierce, unyielding glare in my eyes stopped him. A slow, proud smile broke through his tense expression.
“Fine,” Adrian nodded, handing me a suppressed pistol and a spare clip. “Stay behind the stone hearth. If anyone breaches that door, you don't hesitate.”
The heavy oak front door shuddered under the impact of a breaching charge.
May you like
Wood splintered. Alarms blared.
The battle for our future had begun.
