Chapter 3 - The Delivery Man’s Vault
The bullet shattered the concrete pavement just inches from Victoria’s knee.
The surrounding crowd screamed in terror and scattered in every direction.
Ethan grabbed Victoria by her tweed collar and yanked her behind the heavy steel frame of the Porsche.
Another quiet thud tore through the luxury car's side mirror, shattering glass everywhere.
"They're shooting at us!" Victoria shrieked, pressing herself flat against the tire.
"They aren't shooting at us," Ethan corrected her grimly.
"They are shooting at you to close your mouth."
The black SUV accelerated rapidly, roaring toward their position to finish the job.
Ethan did not draw a weapon.
He reached into his white button-down shirt and pulled out a heavy steel keycard attached to a silver chain.
He swiped the keycard across a hidden sensor beneath the Porsche's front bumper.
A thick steel barrier suddenly shot up from the pavement, blocking the oncoming SUV.
The SUV crashed violently into the barrier with a deafening metal crunch.
The front hood of the SUV crumpled instantly, smoke pouring from the engine.
Two armed men in black masks staggered out of the wrecked vehicle.
Ethan didn't give them time to recover.
He dashed forward with lightning speed, closing the distance in seconds.
He disarmed the first shooter with a swift blow to the wrist.
He kicked the second man hard in the chest, sending him sprawling across the pavement.
Victoria watched in total shock, her breath catching in her throat.
This was no ordinary delivery driver.
This was a trained killer.
Ethan picked up the dropped suppressed pistol and checked the magazine.
He walked over to the driver of the SUV, who was slumped over the steering wheel.
He pulled a leather wallet from the driver's pocket and flipped it open.
Inside was an elite security badge carrying a crest Ethan recognized all too well.
It was the symbol of the Vance Syndicate—his family's oldest rival.
Ethan turned back to Victoria, who was cowering behind his ruined car.
"Get up," Ethan ordered sternly.
"Why should I listen to you?!" she wept, trembling hysterically.
Ethan stepped closer, tossing the gunman's wallet right at her feet.
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"Because your father just sold you out to the Vance family," Ethan said softly.
"And if you stay here, you won't survive the night."
