Page 57 of The Silencer

"Stay alert," I mutter into my comm."Something's not right."

We make our way through the compound, taking out guards silently as we go.But as we near the main building, all hell breaks loose.

Gunfire erupts from all directions.We've been ambushed.

"Fall back!"Jer shouts over the comm."It's a trap!"

But as I turn to retreat, I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure through a window.My father, watching the chaos unfold with a smirk on his face.

Fuck that.I won’t let this prick get away this time.

I raise my gun, watching through the scope as my father raises his brow.Does he think I won’t pull the trigger?Does he truly believe I won’t end his miserable life?

I take a deep breath, ignoring Jer's shouts in my ear.I keep the scope on him and relax my shoulders.This is it.

"Emmanuel, what the fuck are you doing?"Maverick's voice crackles through my earpiece.

"Finishing this," I growl back as I pull the trigger.I watch as the bullet sails through the air.A smile forms on my lips as I watch it sink between my father’s eyes.The smirk he had dies on his lips as he collapses to the floor.

He’s dead.

The compound erupts into chaos as my father's body hits the floor.Guards are shouting, gunfire intensifies, but I barely register any of it.A strange numbness washes over me as I lower my weapon.

"Emmanuel!"Jer's voice cuts through the haze."We need to move.Now!"

I snap back to reality, adrenaline surging through my veins.We fight our way out of the compound, taking down anyone who stands in our way.It's a blur of gunshots, explosions, and close calls.My adrenaline is pushing me through it all.I’m still in that headspace of focusing on the job at hand, and I will be until we get the fuck out of here and are flying home.

Finally, we make it to our extraction point.As the helicopter lifts off, I watch the compound shrink into the distance, smoke rising from several buildings.It's over.My father is dead.

The flight back is tense and silent.I can feel Jer and Maverick's eyes on me, but I keep my gaze fixed out the window.My mind is a whirlwind of emotions—relief, anger, a strange sense of loss.

When we land, Jer pulls me aside."We need to talk about what happened back there."

I nod.I knew this conversation was coming.We head to his office and I brace myself for the lecture.I went off script.I did what he’s always told me not to do—go alone.It’s a huge fucking no-no when I’m with others.I was doing this job as a member of the Houlihan Gang, not as part of The Agency, and when working with the Gang, we always work together.

But instead of anger, Jer's voice is filled with concern."Are you okay?"

The question catches me off guard.Am I okay?I'm not sure I know the answer.

"He's dead," I say, my voice hollow."It's finally over."

Jer sighs heavily."The immediate threat may be over, but we both know the Syndicate won't take this lying down.And there's still the matter of the mole..."

Reality comes crashing back.Of course, it's not over.It's never over.

"What's our next move?"I ask, pushing my personal feelings aside.

Jer studies me for a moment before answering."We lie low for now.Let the dust settle.Then we'll deal with the Syndicate."

I nod, standing to leave.But Jer's voice stops me.

"Emmanuel," he says softly."It's okay to feel...whatever you're feeling right now.He was still your father."

I clench my jaw, emotions threatening to overwhelm me.Without a word, I turn and leave the office.

As I drive home, my mind drifts to Clodagh.She's safe now, I remind myself.My father can never hurt her again.But as I pull into my driveway, I realize there's something I need to do.

I take out my phone and dial her number.She answers on the second ring.

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