Chapter 6 - THE MORNING OF THE PLAY
The morning sun broke through the heavy gray clouds, casting a cold light over the city streets.
Rainwater streamed down the bullet-dented windows of the safehouse apartment.
Victor stood near the window, his coat off, revealing a crisp black shirt soaked in sweat.
His hands were wrapped in thick white gauze, covering the deep cuts from last night’s glass shards.
On the small wooden table lay three loaded handguns, spare magazines, and a tactical knife.
Beside those deadly weapons sat a pair of shiny white shoes and a clean pink hair ribbon.
Lily sat quietly on the edge of the bed, swinging her small legs back and forth.
Her dark eyes were fixed on the weapons spread across the table.
"Are those for the monsters?" she asked in her soft, small voice.
Victor paused, his fingers resting on the slide of his 9mm pistol.
He turned slowly to face her, softening his harsh features as much as he could.
"They are just tools, little heart," Victor replied softly.
"Tools to make sure nobody ruins your big day."
Inspector Vance entered the room, throwing a heavy folder onto the kitchen counter.
Her face was pale, and dark circles shadowed her bright green eyes.
"Salvatore has put a three-million-dollar bounty on your head, Victor," Vance said, her voice dripping with anxiety.
"Every street gang, mercenary, and crooked cop in this city is looking for a black sedan."
"They know about the school play at Saint Jude’s Academy."
Victor picked up the pink hair ribbon and walked over to Lily.
He knelt in front of her, his massive, scarred hands surprisingly gentle as he tied her hair.
"Let them look," Victor said calmly.
"No one stops me from keeping my word."
Lily looked at him, her dark eyes shining with absolute trust.
"Daddy, will you sit in the front row?" she asked.
The word Daddy struck Victor like a physical blow, sending a sharp pain through his chest.
He had spent fifteen years killing men without feeling a single shred of remorse.
Yet, this small child's simple question made his hand tremble slightly.
"I will be right there, Lily," Victor promised, fixing the ribbon.
"I won't miss a single second."
Vance pulled her service pistol and checked the chamber with a heavy sigh.
"You're walking into a giant meat grinder, Victor," Vance warned, shaking her head.
"Salvatore’s chief enforcer, a man named Apex, has already set up a perimeter around the school."
"Apex doesn't take hostages, and he doesn't care about collateral damage."
Victor stood up, strapping two shoulder holsters beneath his tailored black suit jacket.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the crumpled paper with the drawn red heart.
He handed it directly to Inspector Vance.
"If I don't make it out of that auditorium alive, take this to Interpol," Victor commanded.
"And make sure Lily gets to a safe home far away from this nightmare."
Vance took the paper, her fingers trembling slightly as she looked into Victor's cold eyes.
"What about you?" she asked softly.
Victor picked up his coat and slid his arms into the sleeves.
"I have a contract to fulfill," Victor answered, his voice cold as steel.
"And a monster to hunt."
He turned to Lily and held out his large, calloused hand.
Lily reached up and wrapped her tiny fingers around his thumb with a warm smile.
"Ready to go, Daddy?" she asked happily.
"Ready," Victor said, turning toward the heavy steel door.
May you like
As he opened the door, a red laser dot flickered briefly across the opposite hallway wall.
Victor’s eyes widened as he slammed the door shut just as a hail of high-caliber bullets tore through the wood.
