Chapter 4 - The Panic Room
Two floors below, deep beneath the mansion, Viktor shoved Sarah and Maya into the steel-reinforced panic room.
It was the size of a small apartment, lined with monitors displaying the estate's security cameras. Most of the feeds were dead, filled with static from the EMP Julian had likely triggered in the server room, but a few hardwired cameras still flickered.
Sarah collapsed onto a leather couch, pulling Maya tightly to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "We're going to die here. We're going to die because we didn't stay quiet."
"No, you aren't," Viktor said, his deep voice rumbling like a diesel engine. He racked the slide of his assault rifle, chambering a round. "The boss owes your kid his life. And Roman Sokolov pays his debts."
Maya didn't cry. She stood up from her mother's grip and walked toward the glowing monitor bank.
Her eight-year-old brain processed information differently than adults. She noticed patterns. She noticed things that didn't belong.
She stared at a flickering camera feed from the East Corridor.
"Mr. Viktor," Maya pointed a small finger at the screen.
Viktor walked over, his heavy boots thudding against the metal floor. "What is it, kid?"
On the screen, four men in Sokolov security uniforms were walking down the hall, carrying assault rifles.
"Those aren't your men," Maya said flatly.
Viktor frowned. "They have the uniforms. They have the lapel pins."
"Look at their shoes," Maya said.
Viktor leaned in. His security personnel were strictly issued black tactical boots with silent-tread rubber soles. The men on the screen were wearing heavy combat boots with mud-caked cleats.
May you like
"They killed my men and took their gear," Viktor growled, his face twisting into a mask of pure rage. He grabbed his radio. "Boss. You have wolves in sheep's clothing. Check the boots."
“Copy,” Roman’s voice crackled back over the radio. “Keep the girl safe, Viktor. I’m finding the bride.”
