Chapter 39 - The courage to stand
Lily pressed her back against the wooden paneling under the stairs, her breath shallow. Ten years ago, the sound of Julian’s voice would have paralyzed her. Ten years ago, she would have closed her eyes and waited for someone to save her.
Not tonight.
On the floor beside her lay David’s dropped tactical stun baton and his secondary radio. Lily reached out, her fingers closing tightly around the textured rubber grip of the baton. She flipped the master switch; the small LED indicator glowed electric blue.
In the foyer, Julian was sneering as his two mercenaries searched the rooms. "You know, Lily, if you hadn't brought that stray dog of a maid into this house, I’d be running Caldwell Industries right now. Sabrina was an idiot, but you... you were just an annoying little mute who refused to get out of the way!"
Julian stepped toward the hallway leading to the study, completely turning his back to the staircase.
Lily didn't hesitate.
She stepped out from the darkness with the fluid, silent grace Grace had spent years teaching her. In two swift strides, she closed the distance behind Julian, driving the high-voltage prongs of the stun baton directly into the base of his spine.
Fifty thousand volts surged through Julian’s body. He screamed, dropping his cane as his muscles locked, collapsing heavily onto the floor, twitching in agony.
The mercenary in the foyer spun around, raising his rifle. "Drop it!"
Lily threw the heavy tactical flashlight she snatched from Julian’s belt directly into the man’s face, darting into the dining room just as a hail of bullets tore through the antique sideboard. She slammed the heavy oak door shut, throwing the antique brass bolt into place.
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"You're dead, girl!" the mercenary yelled, kicking against the solid wood.
Outside the mansion, the roar of a high-performance engine shattered the sound of rain.
