Chapter 14 - The Wrath of the Titan
The concussive blast blew Victoria off her feet, sending her revolver skittering across the floor.
Through the cloud of smoke and shattered glass, a figure materialized like an avenging demon.
Nathaniel.
He had breached the window directly from a low-hovering tactical helicopter, wearing tactical Kevlar over his dress shirt, an automatic rifle strapped across his chest. His eyes were cold, pitch-black with murderous fury.
"Nathaniel!" Rose cried out.
Nathaniel didn't speak. He stepped over the shattered glass, kicking Victoria’s gun away before she could crawl toward it. He grabbed Leo by the collar, shoving him behind the safety of the reinforced steel door frame.
"Extraction team, take the boy!" Nathaniel barked into his tactical headset. Two black-clad operatives dropped from the rooftop ropes, pulling Leo toward the helicopter winch.
"Nathaniel, watch out!" Rose screamed.
Julian Sterling stepped out from the shadows of the adjoining balcony.
In his hand, he didn't hold a gun. He held a sleek, military-grade detonator with a glowing digital countdown: *00:45*.
"Did you really think I didn't plan for your heroics, Nathaniel?" Julian laughed, his voice dripping with madness. "This entire mansion sits on fifty pounds of C4 planted in the foundation. In forty seconds, this building collapses into dust. Veridian soil, an unexplained diplomatic tragedy. And you, your little whore, and your corporate empire will be buried beneath three million tons of rubble."
"Drop the detonator, Julian," Nathaniel said, aiming his rifle squarely at his uncle’s chest.
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"Shoot me, and my thumb releases the dead-man switch instantly," Julian grinned savagely. "You have thirty seconds to choose, nephew. The helicopter can only lift two people before the blast radius consumes the airspace. Your little brother-in-law is already secured. Do you save your precious maid... or do you save yourself and your mother’s empire?"
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