Chapter 160: A Message in Gunfire

Chris stood on the balcony of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Spanish skyline stretching before him. The night air was crisp, but his mind was elsewhere. Across the world, chess pieces were moving—some in his favor, others in defiance.

Ethan's voice cut through the quiet. "Everything is in place. Spain is secure, for now."

Chris didn't look at him. "Good." He pulled out his phone and dialed a secure line. The call connected instantly.

"Commander Volkov."

A deep voice responded on the other end. "Mr. President."

Chris's fingers tapped against the railing. "At the Russian border, I want our forces to open fire."

There was a pause. "On whom, sir?"

Chris's smirk was cold. "No one. Just shoot."

The commander understood immediately. "A warning."

"A reminder." Chris corrected. "Let them hear it. Let them know we are watching."

The order was relayed within seconds. Half a world away, at the edge of Russian territory, Blackwood soldiers loaded their weapons. Then, with ruthless precision—

They fired.

The night exploded with gunfire. Bullets tore through the silence, cracking through the air like thunder. No targets. No casualties. Just noise.

A statement.

Inside the Kremlin, they would hear it. The Russian government would listen. And they would understand.

Christopher Blackwood was watching.

And he was waiting.