CHAPTER 159
The helicopter attack came without warning, precision missiles striking the road ahead of our convoy and forcing the Swiss vehicles to halt on a narrow mountain pass. Through the armored window, I watched Henry's mercenaries rappelling from black helicopters, moving with the kind of tactical efficiency that meant this had been planned down to the smallest detail.
"What the hell?" the Swiss officer breathed, reaching for his radio.
"That would be my grandfather," I said, feeling an unexpected calm settle over me. "He's decided to stop pretending this is a family rescue."
The officer was shouting commands in German while the driver tried to reverse course, but more helicopters had appeared behind us, cutting off our retreat. Within minutes, we were surrounded by professional soldiers who clearly had no intention of negotiating with Swiss authorities.
"Ms. Mitchell," the officer said urgently, "whatever's really happening here, we need to get you to safety."
"There is no safety. Not while Henry's still alive."
Through my earpiece, I could hear Harry's voice cutting through the static. "Skylar, we can see the attack from our position. We're moving to intercept, but we're outnumbered at least ten to one."
I couldn't respond without revealing the communication device, but I desperately wanted to tell them to stay away, to prioritize their own safety over rescuing me. Because I was beginning to understand the true scope of Henry's plan.
He wasn't just trying to capture me. He was using me as bait to draw Harry, Jax, and Lucas into a trap that would eliminate all of us at once.
"Officer," I said quietly, "I need you to send a message to UN Security. Tell them that Henry Mitchell is conducting a military operation on Swiss soil, and that he's about to eliminate the only witnesses who can testify about his trafficking networks."
"I don't understand."
"You don't need to understand. You just need to make that call before his people reach this vehicle."
Gunfire erupted outside as Henry's mercenaries engaged with the Swiss security detail. Professional soldiers against police officers who'd probably never faced military-trained opponents in their own country. It was exactly the kind of one-sided fight that Henry specialized in.
"Ms. Mitchell," the officer said, his voice tight with stress, "if what you're saying is true, why would your grandfather go to these lengths? What could possibly be worth risking an international incident?"
I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling our daughter moving restlessly inside me. "The next generation of his criminal empire. He believes my child can be trained to infiltrate law enforcement agencies, government organizations, international bodies. A weapon that looks like an angel."
"That's insane."
"That's the Mitchell family legacy."
The vehicle shook as something heavy impacted the roof. Through the window, I could see figures in tactical gear setting up what looked like breaching charges.
"They're going to cut through the armor," I realized.
"How long do we have?"
"Maybe two minutes."
My earpiece crackled again. "Skylar, we're in position to provide covering fire, but we need you to create a distraction. Something to draw their attention away from the vehicle."
This time I had to respond, despite the risk. "Negative. Too dangerous. Prioritize your own extraction."
The Swiss officer stared at me. "You just spoke to someone."
"My team. They're trying to mount a rescue operation that's going to get them killed."
"Can they help us?"
"They can try. But Henry's been planning this for months. He's got contingencies for every possible response."
Through the roof, I could hear the distinctive whine of cutting tools beginning to work on the vehicle's armor. Professional grade equipment that would punch through the protection in minutes.
But as I sat there, handcuffed and pregnant and apparently helpless, I realized that Henry had made the same mistake that every man in my life had made at some point.
He'd underestimated what I was willing to do to protect the people I loved.
"Officer," I said calmly, "I need you to remove these handcuffs."
"Absolutely not. You're in protective custody."
"In about ninety seconds, armed mercenaries are going to breach this vehicle and attempt to capture me. When that happens, you're going to have a choice - try to protect a handcuffed pregnant woman, or let me protect myself."
"You're in no condition to fight."
"I'm in perfect condition to fight. I'm just carrying extra motivation."
The cutting sounds from above were getting louder, and I could see sparks beginning to fall through the roof as the breaching charges prepared to activate.
"Please," I said urgently. "I know you don't trust me, but trust this - I would rather die than let Henry get his hands on my child."
The officer looked at my face, seeing something that made him reach for his keys. "If you're lying about any of this..."
"Then you can shoot me yourself after we survive the next ten minutes."
He unlocked the handcuffs just as the roof exploded inward, filling the vehicle with smoke and debris. Through the chaos, I could see figures rappelling down, their weapons trained on our position.
"Swiss Federal Police!" the officer shouted. "Stand down immediately!"
"I don't think they're interested in jurisdiction," I said, pulling him toward the vehicle's rear exit.
But as we moved, one of the mercenaries landed directly in front of us, his weapon aimed at my chest. Through his tactical mask, I could see cold, professional eyes that held no hesitation about shooting a pregnant woman.
"Ms. Mitchell," he said in accented English. "Your grandfather would like to see you."
"Tell my grandfather that his invitation is declined."
"I'm afraid that wasn't a request."
The Swiss officer tried to raise his weapon, but the mercenary was faster, putting two rounds center mass before turning back to me.
"Now then," he said conversationally, "we can do this easy or hard. Your choice."
I looked down at the dying Swiss officer, a man who'd been trying to do his job and protect me despite not understanding the situation. His blood was spreading across the vehicle's floor, and his eyes were already losing focus.
"Easy," I said quietly.
But as the mercenary moved to secure me, I triggered the emergency beacon Lucas had sewn into my jacket collar. Not a weapon this time, but a signal that would bring every friendly force within fifty kilometers to our location.
Including Swiss military units, UN security forces, and three very angry men who'd spent months learning exactly how to kill people like Henry's mercenaries.
"Mistake," the mercenary said, having noticed the activation.
"Probably," I agreed. "But not mine."
Because as the distant sound of approaching helicopters began to echo through the mountain pass, I realized that Henry's perfect plan had one fatal flaw.
He'd assumed that I would prioritize my own safety over stopping him.
But he'd forgotten that sometimes the only way to protect your family is to destroy the people trying to hurt them.
Even if it means risking everything you have left.
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