Chapter 9: The Coup at Whitehall

With the National Guard and Joe’s old crew, everything goes smoothly. For once, I stand in Whitehall Mansion not as prey, but as predator.

Lucy stands behind me, clutching Kyle’s hand. Louise sneers. "You think you’ve won? Come here, Lucy. You’re still my good sister."

Lucy shakes her head. "No, not even your dog. I’m just a bone you threw to the watchdog."

Louise’s face darkens. "General Carter is in the city at this moment…"

Lucy goes pale. "General Carter went with the President… how could he be here?"

I laugh. "Even if he’s in the city, so what? Among the generals, who can match my command?"

Louise’s smile is razor-sharp. "No matter how skilled you are, you can’t beat three thousand cavalry with three hundred Guards."

"I don’t need to beat three thousand cavalry," I say. "Just Frank Carter. Those cavalry were once my men."

"Arrogant fool!" Louise spits. "Death’s at your door and you’re still boasting."

"The Chenault rebellion isn’t over," I say. "If General Carter returns to the capital tonight, it means only one thing: the President is already dead. As First Lady, you conspired to murder him. What are your intentions?"

Louise’s breathing turns ragged.

"Whoever loses tonight will be blamed for the President’s death," she snaps.

"No matter who loses, you won’t live to see it," I say. She recoils.

"Henry Knox, I’m the First Lady. Do you dare kill me?"

I grin. "Title or not, nobody’s bulletproof."

Then I kill her.

Outside, the pounding of hooves shakes the windows. Lucy’s face drains of color. Kyle tugs at her sleeve. "Mom, is… Dad back?"

Lucy’s jaw clenches. "From tonight on, Frank Carter isn’t your father."

I kneel beside Kyle. "You remember what I told you yesterday?"

Kyle glares at me. "I hate you."

I laugh, wild and honest. He hates me—but tonight, he’s got no other path. He’s the protagonist now.