Chapter 190: Do What You Must

The night in Icelandia was quiet, but it was the kind of quiet that held danger. The streets around the presidential palace were filled with guards, patrol vehicles, and watchtowers. Floodlights swept across the gates, making it hard for anyone to move unnoticed.
Jayden, Harper, and Camilia crouched in the shadows of an abandoned store not far from the palace wall.

"This place is crawling," Harper whispered, eyes fixed on the moving lights.

Jayden nodded. "We go in silent first. If it breaks, we figure a way out. No turning back."

Camilia tightened her gloves. "Then let’s get it done."

They moved through the alleys, keeping low. Every guard post was sharp, but Jayden had studied the patrols from afar. He knew their timing. When one pair of guards circled off to the right, the three sprinted across an open stretch and pressed against the outer wall.

"Harper," Jayden whispered.

She pulled out a small device from her pack, one she had been working on for weeks. It hummed softly. She attached it to the wall, and within seconds, a section of the security grid flickered and went down.

The electric fence lost power for just a short window. Jayden climbed first, Camilia followed, and Harper was last. They rolled into the palace grounds and ducked behind a truck parked nearby.

But luck never lasts long. A pair of guards turned the corner, flashlights sweeping.

"Hey! Who’s there?" one shouted.

Jayden lunged forward before the man could raise his rifle. A swift strike to the throat, then a blow to the stomach dropped him. Harper slammed her elbow into the second guard, twisting his arm until he went down without a sound.

They dragged the bodies into the shadows.

"That was close," Camilia muttered.

"Too close," Jayden said. "Let’s keep moving."

They headed deeper into the compound. More guards were stationed at the inner courtyard, rifles ready. A frontal assault here would be messy.

Jayden thought quickly. "Harper, smoke grenades."

She tossed two small canisters across the ground. They hissed and filled the courtyard with a thick fog.

"Move!" Jayden ordered.

Through the smoke, they slipped forward, striking guards before they could react. The muffled sounds of fists and scuffles echoed in the haze. By the time the smoke cleared, half a dozen soldiers lay unconscious, and the trio pushed through the main steps of the palace.

The heavy doors opened after Harper hotwired the lock. They stepped inside, greeted by the polished marble floors and tall glass windows. But there was no time to admire the halls.

Alarms had started to wail.

"They know we’re here," Camilia said.

"Then we fight through," Jayden replied.

Armed guards stormed from the side corridors. Bullets cracked through the air, forcing them behind pillars. Jayden returned fire with a handgun he had picked up from one of the fallen soldiers. Harper pulled out her compact rifle and laid down cover.

Camilia moved like a shadow, striking down guards who got too close.

Bit by bit, they forced their way toward the presidential chamber. The closer they got, the heavier the resistance. Dozens of guards blocked their way, but strange enough, none fought to the death. Many dropped their weapons halfway, as if unsure.

Finally, they kicked open the tall double doors.

Inside sat President Liam Thompson, calm in his chair, Sofia by his side.

Jayden stormed in, gun raised. "It’s over, Liam!"

Liam was there on his chamber, suddenly frozen as he didn’t see nothing.

That was Jayden’s plan. To scare the hell out of him.

They had put on Shadow Mask.

"Wh... Who are you? Is this some kind of game?

Jayden narrowed his eyes. "Game?"

At that point, he quickly pulled the Shadow Mask off, without Cammy and Harper doing the same.

Upon noticing him, Liam gave a smile of realisation, noticing it was his enemy.

He stood and paced slowly, like he had all the time in the world. "While you were so desperate to reach me, I already sent the best killers to your island. To your women. By now, they are probably tied down, begging for help. Tell me, Jayden, do you really think you can save them all?"

Jayden froze at once. His mind instantly went to Temi, Charlotte, Becky, Paula, and Katie.

Liam chuckled when he saw Jayden’s clenched jaw. "You’re not the hero you think you are. You fight here, while the ones you love scream far away. That is the beauty of strategy."

Something inside Jayden snapped. He dropped his gun, marched forward, and smashed his fist into Liam’s face. The President crashed against the desk, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Enough of your games!" Jayden roared, grabbing him by the collar.

He punched again, and again, until Liam’s smug look was gone, replaced by a broken, swollen face.

Sofia almost screamed, rushing forward, but Harper blocked her path with a warning glare.

"Nice to see you again, Sofia," she forged a smile and then followed by a punch.

More guards rushed into the chamber, rifles ready. Jayden turned, breathing heavy, fists still wrapped around Liam’s shirt.

But the guards didn’t shoot, as they watched.

Instead, they lowered their weapons and at that point, one of them even spoke up, voice low but firm.

"We’ve had enough of him. Do what you must."

Jayden’s eyes widened for a moment but then he understood. This people didn’t want to get into more trouble.

They want their peace back, but Liam... He had been the devil.

Jayden dragged Liam up to his feet. "You’re coming with me. Both of you."

He shoved Liam and Sofia forward. The guards parted silently, letting them through without resistance. Some even looked relieved.

Jayden, Harper, and Camilia pushed the two captives out of the palace. But Jayden’s mind wasn’t celebrating. It was already racing back to the island.

Were the ladies safe? Was Katie safe?

His fists clenched tighter. He wouldn’t let anything happen to them... Or else...

It might just be the start of a tougher HIM.

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[A/N: Apologies once again for the repeated Chapter.]