Chapter 5 - The Price of Freedom
The gunshot shattered the air inside the steel vault.
Mara screamed in utter horror as Nathan tackled Grant to the floor, forcing the gun away. The bullet struck the metal server frame, sending bright sparks showering through the dark room.
Grant struggled wildly, but Nathan’s sheer strength and tactical focus overpowered him. Nathan delivered a powerful strike to Grant’s jaw, knocking the pistol from his grip and sending the billionaire sprawling senseless across the concrete floor.
Grant’s mercenaries raised their rifles to open fire on Nathan—but before they could pull their triggers, the ceiling lights of the brownstone flashed red and blue.
The heavy sound of tear gas canisters exploding rocked the hallway outside.
"FBI! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!" thunderous voices roared from the stairs.
A team of twenty tactical FBI agents swarmed into the basement, laser sights covering every square inch of the vault. Grant’s mercenaries instantly dropped their weapons, raising their hands in surrender as they were slammed onto the floor and handcuffed.
Two agents dragged a groaning, bloody Grant Halloway up from the floor, snapping heavy iron cuffs around his wrists.
Grant looked up at Mara, his eyes filled with pathetic, helpless rage as he was led away in shame. He would spend the rest of his life inside a maximum-security federal penitentiary, stripped of every dollar, every property, and every shred of power he had ever owned.
Mara didn't care about Grant anymore. She sprinted across the room to where Nathan was kneeling against the wall.
"Nathan! Nathan!" Mara cried out, falling to her knees beside him, her hands frantically searching his body for blood. "Are you hit?! Did he shoot you?!"
Nathan let out a soft laugh, resting his head against the wall, taking a deep, exhausted breath.
"I'm okay, Mara," Nathan whispered softly, reaching out to stroke her tear-stained cheek with his broad, warm hand. "The bullet hit the server rack. I'm completely fine."
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Mara collapsed against his chest, weeping hysterically, her arms wrapping around his neck so tight she wouldn't let him go.
"It's over, sweetheart," Nathan murmured into her hair, holding her securely against his heart. "He can never touch you again. You and Josie are safe."
