She nods, clutching Sofiya tighter. I watch them disappear into the vestry with Arkady before pulling my gun and moving toward the main entrance.
Dimitri’s voice crackles through my earpiece. “Perimeter secured, boss. We intercepted them at the gates. Six hostiles down. Three captured.”
“Hold positions. I’m coming out.”
The scene outside is barely-tethered chaos. My men have established a defensive perimeter around the church. Two black SUVs with shattered windshields are stopped at awkward angles near the entrance. Bodies lie motionless on the pavement.
Dimitri approaches, blood splattered across his white dress shirt. “We got them before they reached the door.”
“Secure inside. No civilians harmed.”
I scan the scene, counting bodies, assessing the damage. Something doesn’t add up.
