The Duke wouldn’t let this go.
But maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.
Snader was an ambitious man.
His enemies wouldn’t come openly—if they could, they’d already be here.
Survive this, and his family’s position was secure.
Fortune favors the bold.
He pressed the intercom.
“We have guests.
Make them feel welcome.” Outside, William watched his “teammates” casually approach the construction site.
Five others had drawn the same target.
He didn’t mind.
Too many sightlines, sure.
But plenty of cover.
Better than the bar with its blinding lights.
Intel said there were still workers inside.
The site doubled as a hidden casino at night.
Booze.
Controlled women.
The usual.
The site looked calm.
Drunk voices echoed.
But William didn’t trust calm.
He gripped his gloves.
Cold.
Not enough to ease his nerves.
They could be faking.
He had no idea what normal looked like here.
A passerby glanced at him but said nothing.
Payment was per head.
If the kid wanted to freeze, fine.
Probably scared.
William checked his watch.
Everyone checked theirs.
Time was almost up.
He noticed fewer people on-site.
They’re clearing out.
He found a safe spot.
He’d go in last.
Safety first.
Behind him, a stalker sighed.
This guy was impossible to read.
Who pulls back right before the assault?
Through his earpiece, teams reported their positions.
Inside the casino, the gang’s second-in-command watched the monitors, giving orders.
William ducked behind a car.
Two thugs behind him.
Hands in pockets.
Visible tattoos.
He dove, rolled, and fired a blind shot.
The gunshot shattered the night.
Chaos erupted.
Two of William’s team went down immediately.
But the rest were veterans.
Trained from childhood.
They weathered the first wave.
The gang lost three.
Silence fell.
Only the wounded workers moaned in the dark.
William stayed behind the car.
He could hear someone in the alley.
One of his stray shots might have connected.
Or they’re faking it.
He pulled out a compact mirror and used Telekinesis to angle it into the alley.
Nothing.
Except one guy clutching his leg.
Two shots.
End of suffering.
Now where was the other one?
The casino doors burst open.
A dozen armed men poured out, scanning for intruders.
Gunfire erupted.
The Hotel team was outgunned, but better trained.
They held their ground.
William’s side stayed quiet.
A waiting game.
His Bloodhound skill showed red lines, but at this distance, it was useless.
Step out, and he’d be exposed.
He couldn’t wait forever.
The gunfire was thinning.
Either his team was winning, or they were dead.
He yanked a soda can with Telekinesis and tossed it.
While the enemy looked, William sprinted across the street.
Time to flank.
Simon waited in the alley.
His earpiece buzzed with updates.
The fight inside was almost over.
Soon his backup would arrive.
Then I’ll kill that bastard.
For my friend.
A hand clamped over his mouth.
Cold steel pierced his back.
The world went dark.
William lowered the body, took his rifle, and pulled on his earpiece.
New voice.
New weapon.
New plan.
Inside the casino, the boss reported to his superior.
“Almost done.
Their fire’s dying out.” Another burst of gunfire.
Two more of his men dropped.
William had found the side entrance.
Two rounds.
Relocate.
The blood was everywhere now—his vision was practically x-ray.
He could see them coming.
Vague shapes through the haze.
He moved again.
The leader’s voice crackled through the captured earpiece, repositioning his men.
William flanked again.
Aim.
Fire.
Move.
Hard to believe this was the same guy who couldn’t hit a target a week ago.
The dark didn’t matter anymore.
His eyes had adjusted.
He reloaded.
The boss stared at his monitors.
Something was wrong.
The man moved like a ghost.
Then he switched all channels.
William hesitated.
He kept the earpiece on.
And slipped back into the shadows.