Chapter 1: The Human Shield

"Are you feeling alright Cynthia? The air conditioning isn't too cold for you is it?" Julian asked his voice laced with an immediate tender concern as he adjusted the lapels of his suit. He didn't look across the table at his wife. His eyes were entirely locked on the older woman sitting beside him.

Cynthia offered a frail practiced smile pressing a delicate hand to her forehead. It's a little chilly Julian but I don't want to complain. I know how rare it is for Vivienne to actually arrange something for the family. I can endure it.

You shouldn't have to endure anything Julian said his brow furrowing instantly. He turned a sharp icy glare toward Vivienne. Vivienne why didn't you request a private room with independent climate control? You know Cynthia's health has been delicate lately. Can you not handle a single simple task without botching it?

Vivienne sat quietly her fingers lightly gripping the stem of her wine glass. The reservation was made under your name Julian. Your assistant chose the room. I simply showed up.

Don't talk back to your husband like that Vivienne Cynthia chided softly her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. Julian works so hard for this family. The least you could do is take accountability instead of passing the buck to his staff. It's stressful enough just being out in public these days.

From the chair next to Cynthia six year old Maya reached over and patted Cynthia's arm. Don't be sad Mommy Cynthia. I can give you my jacket if you're cold.

Vivienne felt a familiar sharp pang in her chest at the words. She looked at her daughter her voice barely above a whisper. Maya. I'm your mother. You should call Cynthia your aunt.

Maya didn't even look at Vivienne. She tightly hugged Cynthia's arm instead. Mommy Cynthia takes care of me. She's the one who helps me with my dresses and plays with me. You're always just sitting there doing nothing.

Maya that is enough Vivienne said though the lack of support from her husband made the correction feel entirely hollow.

Don't raise your voice at the child Vivienne Julian snapped slamming his fork down onto the porcelain plate with a sharp clink. Maya is six years old. She speaks the truth. Cynthia has spent more time raising our daughter over the past year than you have. If Maya feels a stronger maternal bond with her that is your failure not hers. Look at you. You're entirely cold. Unfeeling.

I am her mother Julian. Seven years of marriage and you sit here allowing our daughter to call my sister her mother? Vivienne's voice remained level but her knuckles were turning white against the glass.

Because Cynthia earns that title every single day! Julian retorted his voice rising. While you sit around reaping the benefits of the wealth I build Cynthia actually brings warmth to this household. She supports me. She supports Maya. Frankly you should be thanking her instead of throwing these pathetic jealous tantrums at the dinner table.

Cynthia patted Julian's hand soothingly. Julian please don't get upset on my account. I don't mind the title. I love Maya like my own. I just wish Vivienne wouldn't make everything into a battlefield. It's exhausting.

You see that? Look at the difference between the two of you Julian said gesturing sharply toward Cynthia. She thinks of the family harmony. You think only of your own bruised ego. It's pathetic Vivienne. Absolutely

The heavy mahogany doors of the private dining room suddenly burst inward with a violent splintering crash.

Nobody move! Hands where I can see them! a harsh raspy voice screamed.

A tall man clad in black a dark ski mask concealing his face stepped into the room. In his right hand a matte black handgun leveled directly at the center of the table. The barrel gleamed under the soft chandelier light.

Oh my god! Cynthia shrieked her voice hitting a piercing terrified register.

Before the echo of the scream could even fade from the walls Julian reacted. Without a single second of hesitation without looking back he lunged across the corner of the table. He threw his entire weight over Cynthia pinning her down into the plush leather booth shielding her torso and head completely with his own body.

Vivienne sat frozen. The movement had been instantaneous. An instinctive primal reaction. Julian's back was turned to the door his arms wrapped tightly around her sister.

Left completely uncovered right in the direct line of sight of the barrel was Vivienne.

The gunman's eyes flared through the slits of the mask. I said don't move!

BANG.

The deafening roar of the gunshot blasted through the confined space of the private room.

The bullet tore through the air missing Vivienne's left cheek by mere inches. It struck the crystal wine glass she had been holding instantly shattering it into a thousand glittering shards. The force of the impact exploded the glass outward showering Vivienne's face neck and hands in a sharp stinging rain of debris. Red wine mixed with a thin spray of blood where a micro shard scraped her cheekbone.

Ah! Julian! He's going to kill us! Cynthia cried out from beneath Julian's weight her hands clutching at his jacket.

I've got you! I've got you Cynthia stay down! Julian yelled back his voice frantic tightening his grip on her squeezing his eyes shut as he braced for another shot.

The gunman startled by the sudden chaotic movement and the screaming from the hallway outside as restaurant security began to yell cursed loudly. Damn it! He turned on his heel sprinting back through the shattered doorway and disappearing into the corridor. Loud chaotic footsteps faded down the hall.

For a long agonizing moment the room was silent save for the heavy ragged breathing of Julian and the quiet whimpering of Cynthia.

Vivienne didn't move. She sat perfectly upright in her chair. Shards of crystal littered her lap. A single droplet of blood trailed down her cheek dripping onto her white dress. Her eyes were fixed on her husband's back.

Julian slowly lifted his head scanning the room frantically. Is he gone? Is he gone?! He immediately looked down at the woman in his arms. Cynthia! Cynthia look at me. Are you hurt? Did he hit you?

Cynthia opened her eyes trembling violently as she clutched Julian's lapels. Julian... I'm so scared. I think my chest hurts. My heart... I can't breathe.

It's okay I'm here. You're safe. I've got you Julian breathed his voice cracking with an emotional intensity he had never once shown Vivienne in seven years. He lifted her up cradling her against his chest as if she were made of glass. We need to get you out of here right now. The stress your heart can't take this.

He began dragging Cynthia out of the booth his movements frantic. He didn't look at the chair opposite them. He didn't look at the blood on Vivienne's face or the glass embedded in her clothes.

Julian Vivienne said. Her voice was flat. Empty.

Julian paused for a fraction of a second his boots crunching on the broken crystal. He gave her a fleeting annoyed glance. What Vivienne? You can walk can't you? Get up. We have to go.

You threw yourself over her Vivienne said her eyes locked onto his. The gun was pointed at the table. You covered Cynthia. You left me completely exposed.

Julian's face hardened into a scowl of pure irritation. Are you seriously trying to start a domestic dispute right now? Someone just shot at us! Cynthia has a documented heart condition Vivienne! She could die from the shock alone. You are perfectly fine. Stop being so incredibly selfish!

I was almost shot Julian. The bullet broke the glass in my hand.

But it didn't hit you did it? Julian yelled back his voice echoing off the walls as he adjusted his grip on Cynthia who was mimicking a faint. Look at you you don't have a scratch on you besides a tiny scrape. Cynthia is having a panic attack! I don't have time for your pathetic jealousy. Move out of the way!

Without waiting for another response Julian carried Cynthia past the shattered doorway his steps hurried and desperate shouting for his security detail down the hall.

Vivienne sat alone in the ruined dining room for a beat. Then she slowly turned her head toward the corner chair.

Maya was still there. The six year old was standing up her hands gripping the edge of the table. Her small face wasn't crying. It wasn't filled with terror for her mother. Instead her eyes were wide cold and fixed entirely on Vivienne with a look of pure unadulterated resentment.

Maya Vivienne said softly reaching a hand out toward her daughter. Come here. Let's get out of here.

Maya violently pulled herself away stepping back toward the corner of the room. Don't touch me!

Vivienne frozen her hand suspended in the air. Maya it's safe now. The bad man left. Come to Mommy.

You're not my mommy! Maya shouted her voice shrill and dripping with blame. You did this! It's all your fault!

Vivienne's breath hitched. What are you talking about?

Mommy Cynthia said you always bring bad luck! You picked this stupid restaurant! You made Daddy mad and then that man came in with a gun! Maya's chest heaved as she glared at Vivienne with eyes that looked exactly like Julian's. You made Mommy Cynthia sick! If she dies because of her heart I will hate you forever! You did this to her!

Maya I am your mother Vivienne whispered the raw emotional weight of the betrayal slicing deeper than any glass shard ever could. I carried you for nine months. I

I don't care! Maya yelled tears finally spilling from her eyes though they were tears of anger not fear. I wish you weren't my mom! I wish Mommy Cynthia was my real mom! She wouldn't just sit there and let people shoot at us! You're bad!

Before Vivienne could utter another word the door opened again. Julian's primary assistant Marcus hurried into the room looking pale and sweating profusely.

Madam Vivienne Miss Maya we need to evac immediately. The vehicle is downstairs Marcus said quickly. He looked at Maya then at Vivienne noticing the blood on her cheek but making no move to assist her. The boss took Miss Cynthia in the primary armored SUV. He ordered me to secure Miss Maya.

Vivienne stood up shaking the glass from her lap. She took a step toward Maya. Come Maya. Let's go to the car.

Maya immediately darted past Vivienne grabbing Marcus's hand tightly. Marcus! Take me away from her! I don't want to ride in the car with her! She's mean! She hurt Mommy Cynthia!

Marcus looked caught off guard shifting his gaze from the little girl to Vivienne. Uh... Madam Vivienne the boss did say to ensure Miss Maya's comfort. If she's experiencing trauma

She is my daughter Marcus Vivienne said her voice dropping into a dangerous icy register. She rides with me.

No! I won't! Maya screamed kicking her feet against the floor. I'll scream! I'll tell Daddy you hit me! Marcus take me to Daddy's car! Don't let her come near me!

Marcus cleared his throat nervously pulling Maya behind his back. Madam Vivienne... given the extreme circumstances and the child's current psychological distress it might be best if I take her in the secondary vehicle ahead of you. The boss specifically instructed that Miss Maya must not be agitated further. You know how he gets when it comes to Miss Cynthia and the child.

Vivienne looked at Marcus. Then she looked at Maya who was hiding behind the assistant's coat peering out with a smug defiant glare that no six year old should possess. It was the exact expression Cynthia wore whenever she successfully turned Julian against her.

The realization settled over Vivienne like a suffocating shroud. Seven years. Seven years of pouring her soul into a marriage seven years of enduring the subtle venom of her sister seven years of trying to love a child who had been systematically brainwashed to view her as an outsider in her own home.

And tonight when life and death hung in the balance she had been given her answer. She was a shield. A prop. An afterthought.

Fine Vivienne said. Her voice was no longer trembling. The raw emotion had evaporated replaced by something terrifyingly hollow. Take her.

Maya didn't look back. She eagerly pulled Marcus toward the exit her small voice echoing down the hallway. Hurry Marcus! Let's go find Daddy and Mommy Cynthia!

Vivienne walked out of the restaurant alone. No one stopped her. No one offered her a coat. The restaurant staff were occupied with the police who were just beginning to arrive at the front entrance. She avoided the flashing blue lights slipping out through a side fire exit into the dark desolate alleyway behind the building.

The sky had opened up. A torrential downpour was slamming against the asphalt the rain freezing cold against her skin. Within seconds Vivienne's hair was soaked plastering to her face. The heavy drops began to wash away the streak of blood on her cheek mixing with the red wine stained deep into the fabric of her expensive designer dress.

She walked out to the edge of the curb. Across the street she watched the secondary armored SUV pull away from the curb its taillights bleeding into the dark rainy night. Her daughter was inside that car fleeing from her as if she were a monster. Her husband was already miles away holding another woman in his arms cursing Vivienne's name for being alive.

Vivienne stopped under the flickering light of a broken streetlamp. The rain poured over her but she didn't shiver. The warmth was entirely gone from her eyes replaced by a cold calculating brilliance that had been buried deep for nearly a decade.

She reached into the inner lining of her soaked dress. Her fingers bypassed her standard smartphone. Instead they wrapped around a small heavy object hidden in a concealed waterproof pocket.

She pulled out an encrypted matte black burner phone. It had no branding no commercial markings. The screen glowed to life instantly bypassing any standard network connecting directly to a secure satellite uplink.

Her thumbs hovered over the tactile keyboard. The soft mechanical clicks were completely drowned out by the thunder crashing overhead.

With absolute precision her fingers typed out a single definitive command:

Project Genesis: Execute Kill Switch.

She hit send.

The screen flashed a single word in crimson text: CONFIRMED.

Vivienne closed the phone a slow dangerous smile finally breaking through the shadows of her face as she stared into the dark.