Page 47 of The Silencer

My father laughs, and the sound is chilling."Looks like my ride is here," he says."Care to join us, Emmanuel?I'm sure the Syndicate would love to meet the Silencer in person."

I realize, with growing horror, we've walked right into a trap.The Syndicate wasn't planning to break my father out next week—they were coming tonight.And now we're caught in the middle of it all.

As chaos erupts around us, I lock eyes with my father.In that moment, I know that only one of us is walking out of here alive.And I'll be damned if it's going to be him.

The alarms continue blaring as chaos erupts around us.Guards are shouting and running down the corridors, but I can't tell if they're friend or foe at this point.

My father rises slowly from his cot, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face."What's it going to be, son?Are you going to try to stop me, or are you going to join the winning side?"

I feel Jer tense beside me, ready for action.But before either of us can move, there's an explosion somewhere in the distance.The whole building shakes as dust rains down from the ceiling.

"Looks like my ride is getting impatient," my father chuckles.

In that moment, I make my decision.I can't let him leave this prison alive, no matter what.The risk is too great—to me, to Clodagh, to everyone.

I lunge forward, tackling my father to the ground.He may be older now but he's still strong.We grapple on the floor of the cell as the sound of gunfire erupts in the hallway outside.

"Emmanuel!"I hear Jer shout."We need to move!Now!"

But I can't let go.This ends here, one way or another.My father manages to get a hand free and swings at my face.His fist connects with my jaw, sending pain shooting through my skull.But I barely feel it through the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I get my hands around his throat and start squeezing.His eyes bulge as he gasps for air."This is for Clodagh," I growl."For her family.For everyone you've ever hurt."

Just as I feel his struggles beginning to weaken, something hard connects with the back of my head.Stars explode in my vision as I topple sideways, my grip on my father loosening.

Through blurry eyes, I see a man in a guard's uniform standing over me, a baton in his hand.One of the Syndicate's inside men, no doubt.My father scrambles to his feet, coughing and gasping.

"Let's go," the fake guard says urgently."The chopper's waiting."

As they move toward the cell door, I force myself to my feet, ignoring the pounding in my head.I can't let them leave.I won't.

But before I can take a step, Jer is there, grabbing my arm."We need to go," he says firmly."This place is coming down around us."

I try to shake him off."No!I can't let him get away!"

"Emmanuel," Jer says, his voice hard."If we don't leave now, we're all dead.We'll get another chance."

I know he's right, but every fiber of my being screams against letting my father escape.Still, I let Jer pull me away, my eyes locked on my father's retreating form.As we rush down the corridor, dodging panicked inmates and guards, I can't shake the feeling that I've failed.That I've let Clodagh down, let everyone down.

We make it outside just as another explosion rocks the building.The night air is filled with smoke and the wail of sirens.In the distance, I see a helicopter lifting off, no doubt carrying my father to safety.

"Fuck!"I yell, slamming my fist into the side of our getaway van.The pain helps clear my head a little, but the anger and frustration remain.

"We'll get him," Jer says as we climb into the van."This isn't over."

As we speed away from the chaos of the prison, my mind is already racing, planning our next move.My father may have escaped tonight, but I won't let him slip away again.And now that he's allied himself with the Boston Elite Syndicate, the stakes are even higher.

"We need to warn Clodagh," I say suddenly, remembering our earlier conversation."If my father's out, she could be in danger."

Jer nods grimly."I'll make the arrangements as soon as we're clear.We'll set up round-the-clock protection."

I lean my head back against the seat, closing my eyes.The adrenaline is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained and defeated.But I know I can't afford to wallow in self-pity.Not when there's so much at stake.

"What's our next move?"I ask Jer.

He's silent for a moment, considering."We need to regroup, gather intel.Find out where your father and the Syndicate are headed.And then..."

"And then we take them all down," I finish for him.

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