Victor's boots pounded against the metal stairs as he raced upward. His lungs burned, his muscles screamed, but he kept going. Nothing would stop him from reaching Miguel.
The sounds of battle echoed from below—gunshots, shouting, explosions—but all Victor could hear was his own heartbeat thundering in his ears.
Hold on, son. I'm coming.
He reached a landing and paused, pressing his back against the wall as he heard footsteps above. Two of Xavier's guards were coming down, weapons at the ready. Victor steadied his breathing, waiting.
The moment the first guard rounded the corner, Victor struck. His gun fired once, twice. The guard dropped without a sound. The second guard barely had time to raise his weapon before Victor's bullet found his chest.
Blood trickled down Victor's arm from
