Chapter 9 - The Harbor of Blood
The warning came a second too late.
The glass window of the fourth-floor hospital room shattered inward in a cascade of sharp fragments as a high-caliber bullet ripped through the frame, burying itself deep into the far drywall.
Rafferty’s reaction was instantaneous.
He didn't hesitate. He didn't cover himself. He lunged forward, throwing his broad body over Fay, slamming her down onto the carpeted floor beneath the window sill, using his torso as a human shield to protect her from the flying glass.
"Stay down!" Rafferty roared.
Across the room, Josie stirred in her sleep, terrified by the sudden loud crash, starting to cry out in confusion.
"Josie!" Fay screamed, trying to crawl toward her daughter.
Rafferty grabbed her shoulder, holding her down firmly. "Stay under the wall! I’ll get her!"
Rafferty stayed low, sliding across the floor like a shadow. He reached the hospital bed, reached up with his powerful arms, and yanked the little girl out of the frame, wrapping her securely in his jacket before sliding back toward the safe corner beside Fay.
Josie clung to Rafferty’s neck, terrified, her face buried against his chest. Rafferty held the child tightly with his left arm, his right hand already reaching beneath his shoulder holster to draw his sleek, custom dark-steel automatic pistol.
The heavy door of the private suite blew inward, kicked off its hinges by a heavy tactical boot.
Two men dressed in dark clothing, carrying silenced submachine guns, burst into the room.
They never had a chance.
Rafferty fired twice from his position on the floor.
The double crack of his dark-steel weapon echoed violently in the confined space. The first hit the lead gunman cleanly between the eyes; the second struck the second attacker in the chest, dropping both men instantly onto the hallway carpet before they could raise their weapons.
Rafferty stood up slowly, keeping Josie shielded behind his back, his eyes burning with a terrifying, absolute fury that surpassed anything he had displayed at the estate.
He stepped into the corridor.
Standing at the far end of the hallway was Victor Vance, holding a smoking firearm, flanked by two remaining enforcers. Vance’s eyes widened in horror as he saw Rafferty Cain emerge from the room—unharmed, holding a crying child with one arm, his firearm leveled with absolute precision.
"Vance," Rafferty spoke, his voice sounding like a mountain breaking apart.
"Cain... wait!" Vance stammered, backing away toward the emergency stairwell. "Arthur Vanderpool paid us! It was Vanderpool!"
"It doesn't matter who paid you," Rafferty said coldly.
Rafferty fired three consecutive rounds with lethal speed. The two enforcers collapsed instantly. Vance turned to run, but a final bullet caught him through the leg, sending him crashing heavily down the concrete steps of the fire exit, screaming in agony.
Silence returned to the fourth floor, heavy and thick with the scent of cordite.
Down the hallway, heavy footsteps rushed forward. Silvano burst through the double doors, flanked by six heavily armed private security guards from the Houston branch.
"Boss!" Silvano gasped, taking in the scene of devastation. "We caught the perimeter vehicles outside! Are you hit?"
"I'm fine," Rafferty said, lowering his weapon and engaging the safety. He looked down at the little girl trembling in his arm. He gently smoothed down Josie’s tousled hair, his voice instantly shifting from a executioner's roar to a soft, gentle whisper. "You're safe, little boat. I've got you."
Josie looked up at his scar-lined face. She raised her small, trembling hand and rested her palm gently against Rafferty’s jaw, feeling the deep, steady vibration of his voice. She did not cry. She looked into his gray eyes and nodded, feeling absolute safety in the arms of the man who had protected her mother.
Fay rushed out of the room, throwing her arms around both of them, sobbing with relief as she held her daughter tight against her chest.
Rafferty looked over Fay’s shoulder at Silvano. His gray eyes turned back to stone.
"Silvano," Rafferty ordered coldly.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Call New Orleans," Rafferty commanded. "Seize every asset Arthur Vanderpool owns. Strip his family of their home, their accounts, and their name before dawn. If he is still in the city by noon, put him in the river."
"Consider it done, Boss," Silvano bowed, turning immediately to execute the command.
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Rafferty wrapped his arm firmly around Fay’s waist, holding her and Josie close against his heart as the hospital staff rushed forward to secure the floor.
"The dark is over, Fay," Rafferty whispered into her chestnut hair. "I’m never letting anyone hurt you again."
