Chapter 8
Hassan heard the gunfire too.
His face changed.
The empire he had built under concrete and fear was coming apart behind him.
He grabbed the young guard by the collar.
“Stop her!”
The young guard looked at Alexis.
Then at the prisoners crawling out of the cells.
Then at Hassan.
And slowly, he lowered his rifle.
Hassan stared at him, stunned.
“You coward.”
The young guard whispered, “She spared me.”
That was all he said.
Alexis opened Cell Six.
Inside, the missing intelligence officer lay against the wall, weak but conscious.
His name was Daniel Cross.
He was the reason half the region was on fire.
Not because he had caused it.
Because he had discovered Hassan’s deal with corrupt weapons smugglers.
Alexis knelt beside him.
“Cross. Can you hear me?”
His eyes opened.
“Reed?”
“I’m getting you out.”
He gave a dry, painful laugh.
“They told me you were just a medic.”
Alexis pulled his arm over her shoulder.
“I am.”
She helped him stand.
“I just hate losing patients.”
An explosion shook the corridor.
Dust poured from the ceiling.
A voice thundered over the radio in Alexis’s stolen vest.
“Raven Team to Nightingale. We have control of the north stairwell. Status?”
Alexis keyed the mic.
“Nightingale has hostages mobile. Six total. One critical. Moving south corridor.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Nightingale?”
She gave him a look.
“Long story.”
The radio answered.
May you like
“Copy, Nightingale. Two minutes.”
Read Part 9 to see Hassan’s final mistake before the rescue team reached them.
