I move to the window, assess the situation. His forces are professional, coordinated. Using vehicles for cover, advancing in tactical formations. Not random thugs. Trained soldiers.
"Boss, south wall is taking heavy fire!" Viktor's voice crackles. "They've got RPGs!"
An explosion rocks the house. The south wall camera feed cuts to static.
"Viktor, status!"
"Holding but barely! They're pushing hard!"
Another explosion. This one closer. The east wing.
They're trying to breach. Overwhelm our defenses through sheer firepower.
"Mikhail, reinforce the south wall. Yaroslav, I want snipers targeting their heavy weapons. Take out anyone carrying explosives."
Orders flow. Men move. The battle intensifies.
I see him on the north camera feed. Patrick O'Rourke. Leading a breach team toward the main entrance. Body armor. Assault rifle. Moving with military precision.
This is it.
He's coming for me.
"All units, Patrick is moving on the main entrance. I'm engaging directly. Maintain defensive positions."
"Boss, that's a trap—" Mikhail starts.
"I know." I grab weapons. Pistol, rifle, knife. "But he wants me. And I want him. So let's finish this."
I move through the house to the main entrance. The sounds of battle filter through walls. Gunfire. Explosions. Screaming.
My men are dying out there. For me. For my family.
I won't let it be for nothing.
The front door explodes inward. Breaching charge. Smoke billows.
Patrick's team enters. Five men in full tactical gear.
I open fire from the staircase. Drop two immediately. The others scatter, return fire.
Bullets rip through the foyer. I move, using my knowledge of the territory, and take them out one by one.
Four down. Five.
Then Patrick himself steps through the smoke.
We lock eyes across the destroyed foyer.
"Lev." His voice is calm. Cold. "It's been a long time."
"Not long enough." I advance down the stairs. "You should have stayed hidden, Patrick. Should have run while you had the chance."
"Run from you?" He laughs. "You took everything from me. My operation. My men. My legacy. Did you think I'd just accept that?"
"You started this five years ago when you murdered my family."
"Necessary business. Your wife was collateral damage. Your son..." He shrugs. "Wrong place, wrong time."
