“Do it now.”

I did not wait for their reply.

I turned and walked out of the library, leaving them in the dim light of the fireplace.

The siren continued to wail through the corridors of the mansion.

I looked down at the satellite phone in my hand.

I pressed the power button, and the screen illuminated with a faint blue glow.

I began to dial the ten-digit secure number.

I needed to reach the Colonel before the helicopter took off.

I needed to stop Ryan before he took Emily out of my reach forever.

My boots clicked against the stone tiles as I headed toward the back stairs.

The phone began to ring in my ear.

A low, mechanical hum sounded on the line, indicating the encryption was locking in.

I paused near a large window overlooking the rear courtyard.

Down below, the helicopter’s searchlight swept across the wet grass.

Two men in dark tactical gear were escorting a struggling figure toward the landing pad.

It was Emily.

Her yellow raincoat was stained with mud.

Ryan was walking behind her, pushing her forward by her shoulders.