Page 49 of The Silencer

"Be careful out there," Jer says as we do our final equipment checks."These Syndicate guys are professionals.Don't take any unnecessary risks."

I nod grimly, holstering my weapon."You too.Let's make this count."

We split up, each team heading to their assigned location.I'm with Maverick, approaching a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city.As we near the building, I signal for the team to hold position while Jason moves in closer.

Minutes tick by in tense silence as we wait for the all-clear.Finally, Jason's voice crackles over the comm: "No visible activity.Looks clear from the outside."

I exchange a look with Maverick.It could be a good sign, or it could mean we're walking into an ambush.

"Alright," I say quietly."We move in, but stay alert.This feels too easy."

We approach the warehouse cautiously.When we reach the side entrance, I notice something that makes my blood run cold—a faint red light blinking near the doorframe.

"Shit," I hiss, grabbing Maverick's arm."It's wired.Fall back!"

We barely make it ten feet before the world explodes around us.The force of the blast throws me to the ground, my ears ringing.Through the smoke and debris, I can hear shouting and gunfire.

"Maverick!"I call out, coughing as I struggle to my feet."You okay?"

"Yeah," comes his strained reply."But we've got company!"

As the smoke clears, I see figures emerging from the shadows, weapons raised.The Syndicate was expecting us after all.

"Take cover!"I shout, diving behind a nearby dumpster as bullets start flying.

As I return fire, my mind races.How did they know we were coming?Was our intel compromised from the start?

I hear Jer's voice in my earpiece, urgent and tense: "Emmanuel, what's your status?"

"We're under heavy fire," I reply, ducking as a bullet whizzes past my head."It was a trap.They were waiting for us."

"Shit," Jer curses."The other teams are reporting similar situations.We need to abort and regroup."

As much as I hate to retreat, I know he's right.We're outgunned and outnumbered.

"Fall back!"I call to my team."Retreat to the rendezvous point!"

We start to withdraw, providing cover fire for each other.Once we’re back in the car, Maverick races away from the warehouse, the rest of the team following behind us.

Fuck.These fucking assholes are one step ahead of us and I fucking hate it.We need to figure out what the fuck is going on and who’s giving those bastards the intel on us.

EIGHTEEN

clodagh

"Lisa,"I say quietly, trying to keep my voice steady."Don't look now, but I think that man is watching us."

I'm at the park with Lisa.There’s a man in a baseball cap sitting on a bench, pretending to read a newspaper.But his eyes keep flicking toward us.

Lisa casually glances over then turns back to me, her face serious."How long has this been going on?"

I swallow hard."I've had a feeling all week.There was a car outside school, and now this..."

Lisa stands up, taking my hand."Come on, we're going to Tammy's.Now."

As we hurry out of the park, I can't shake the feeling that we're being followed.Is it Emmanuel, making good on his promise to watch over me?Or is it something more sinister?

As Lisa and I hurry out of the park, my heart pounds in my chest.I can't help glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to see the man in the baseball cap following us.But the path behind us is empty.

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