Page 63 of Hunter's Game
“The artifacts,” she managed between careful breaths. “They’re after the evidence.”
“Already secured.” Katherine’s smile was sharp. “Along with copies in multiple locations. Your mother taught me well.”
They made it to the stairwell just as more explosions rocked the building. Through gunfire and chaos, Eden heard motorcycle engines.
“Cavalry’s here.” Hunter’s voice held satisfaction. “Darkness brought friends.”
Sure enough, when they reached the ground floor, they found Blind Jacks and Devil’s Mark patches fighting side by side against what appeared to be professional military contractors.
“International cleanup crew,” Wilson identified them as they moved toward the exit. “Romano had arrangements with several private military companies. Guess they decided to tie up loose ends.”
“More like desperate attempt to recover blackmail material.” Katherine put down another attacker with clinical precision. “Amazing how quickly loyalty disappears when people realize you’ve got proof of their crimes.”
Eden’s vision was starting to gray at the edges, the exertion and pain catching up to her. Hunter noticed immediately.
“Almost there.” His arm around her waist took more of her weight. “Transport’s—”
The wall in front of them exploded.
Eden found herself airborne, then caught in strong arms as Hunter shielded her from debris. Through ringing ears, she heard more gunfire, more explosions.
And a familiar voice that turned her blood to ice.
“Really, Eden.” Aleksander Romano emerged from the smoke, looking remarkably alive for someone who was supposed to be dead. The explosion had left its mark—a fresh laceration across his right cheekbone, his expensive suit replaced by tactical gear that couldn’t quite disguise the bandaging beneath. His normally perfect silver-streaked hair was singed at the edges, while burns along his left forearm suggested hehadn’t escaped the blast entirely unscathed. Yet his eyes remained calculating and cold, his movements retaining that predatory precision despite obvious injuries. “Did you think it would be that easy?”
Hunter’s grip tightened as he aimed at Romano’s head. “Pretty sure you were in that explosion.”
“Body double.” Romano’s smile was cold. “A precaution my brother never understood the value of. Though I must admit, your plan was impressive. Taking down Viktor’s entire operation, exposing our network... Mother would be proud.”
Eden felt the world tilt slightly. “What did you say?”
“Oh.” His smile turned cruel. “Did Viktor never tell you? Sarah Mitchell wasn’t just investigating our operation. She was born into it. The daughter of one of our founding members, groomed to take over the family business. Until she decided to play hero instead.”
“You’re lying.” But Eden heard the uncertainty in her own voice.
“Ask your friend Katherine.” Romano’s eyes flickered to the curator. “She knows all about the Mitchell family’s connection to our organization. Don’t you, dear cousin?”
Eden felt Hunter go very still beside her. Felt Wilson’s surprise like a physical thing.
Katherine’s laugh was pure ice. “Always did have a flair for dramatic revelations, Aleksander.”
“You’re related to him?” Eden managed past the shock.
“Distant relations through my father’s side,” Katherine clarified, her aim never wavering from Romano’s head. “Though the more important connection is that Sarah Mitchell was my godmother and mentor, not just my ‘best friend’ as I’ve allowed people to believe. She trained me specifically to continue her work if anything happened to her.”
The world tilted again, but this time Eden welcomed the darkness creeping in at the edges of her vision. It was easier than processing the implications of what she was hearing.
“Family reunion’s touching.” Hunter’s voice was granite. “But we’ve got company.”
More attackers were emerging from the smoke, surrounding them with military precision. Eden counted at least twelve, all heavily armed.
“Options?” Wilson asked quietly.
“Die fighting.” Hunter’s smile was fierce. “Or die running.”
“Or…” Katherine’s voice carried something dangerous. “We could try door number three.”
She pressed something on her phone. For a moment, nothing happened.
