A young girl flashes a hidden signal to a royal guard, prompting him to abruptly halt the parade in stunned disbelief

The girl is confused, traumatised from her mother’s illness. The female officer stood protectively beside Lily, who shook uncontrollably. Vale watched the man’s posture for signs of action.

Police are three minutes out, the male officer announced. Sir, remain calm. The explosion of movement came with professional suddenness.

The man elbowed the officer’s solar plexus, following with a headbutt that dropped him. As the officer fell, the man produced a concealed blade, lunging toward Lily. If I can’t have her, no one will, he snarled.

Vale’s combat training took over. Muscle memory from a hundred close-quarter battle drills flowing through him without conscious thought. He intercepted the attack with a fluid precision that transformed the ceremonial guard into the elite soldier beneath the uniform.

His left hand swept outward, deflecting the knife arm along its natural arc, while simultaneously driving his right fist into the man’s sternum with a sickening impact that folded him forward. The man recovered with the practice skill of someone who had clearly engaged in violence before, pivoting on his back foot and slashing wildly as tourists scattered with screams of panic. The polished blade caught the afternoon light before finding Vale’s forearm, slicing through the ceremonial red wool and into flesh.

Blood bloomed against the fabric, but Vale barely registered the pain as combat focus narrowed his world to the immediate threat, his pupils dilating and peripheral awareness sharpening, the same state that had kept him alive during an ambush in Helmond years before. Get the girl away, Vale shouted to the female officer, who pulled Lily behind the protective circle of guards who had abandoned their posts. What followed wasn’t professional restraint, but unleashed fury.

Vale blocked another knife thrust and countered with devastating force, his fist connecting with the man’s jaw with an audible crack. The man staggered, swinging the blade in desperate arcs. You’re dead, the man hissed through bloody teeth, you have no idea who I work with, they’ll find you and your family.

The threat against his daughters ignited something primal in Vale. His next attack delivered the full force of protective rage, his fist shattered cartilage in the man’s face. Before the kidnapper recovered, Vale struck his throat, collapsing his airway, followed by a precision blow to the temple that dropped him instantly.

Vale didn’t stop, the knife clattered away as he pinned the predator beneath him, his fists continuing their punishment. Each impact accompanied visions of his daughters, of what could have happened to Lily, of other possible victims. That’s enough, Sergeant Vale, enough! Hands pulled him away from the bloodied kidnapper.

Vale fought briefly before military discipline reasserted itself. He’s down, a colleague said firmly. It’s over, Rod! Vale allowed himself to be pulled up, his uniform torn and bloodstained, knuckles split.

The kidnapper lay unrecognisable on the ground. Get a medic, Vale ordered hoarsely, make sure he lives to face justice. Police sirens approached as medical staff rushed to the scene.

Vale stood breathing heavily while guards secured the area. Sergeant, you need medical attention, a palace staffer urged, indicating his bleeding arm. The girl first, Vale insisted, finding Lily huddled against the female officer, trembling but watching him with something like wonder.

Is he dead? she whispered. No, Vale assured her. He’s hurt, but will face justice for what he’s done.

Police secured the area while medics loaded the unconscious kidnapper onto a stretcher, hands cuffed. You’re bleeding, Lily said, pointing to Vale’s arm with surprising concern given her trauma. Vale managed a small smile, just a scratch.

He paused. Lily, how long has he had you? Three weeks, she whispered tearfully. He took me from school, said my parents had an accident.

Her voice broke. Then he said they were dead and nobody was looking for me. A female detective approached and introduced herself.

Lily, I’m Detective Sharma. You’re safe now. We’ve contacted your parents…