2025-11-06 04:34:07Like a tomb, the warehouse doors yawned open. Alexander coasted on momentum until gravel crunched beneath the tires after killing the Suburban's engine two blocks out. With his mask tight and his scar aching, he ventured out into the darkness. With Mira's weight pressing heavily against her chest in the sling, Tatiana trailed behind, Glock lifted. Lucy's zip-ties were rattling with each stumble, and Cole and Victoria were at her sides. Despite the pain, Grayson brought up the rear with his AR-15 solid and his side bandaged tightly.
Alexander had a buzzing burner. Bring the patents, Harrison. She may also bleed.
He smashed the phone and threw away the pieces. "No bargain."
When Tatiana noticed the ink leaking through his shirt, her gaze shifted. "You're on fire."
"Later." He gestured ahead.
Boots silent on crumbling concrete, they crept through a side door. Broken skylights striped the floor with moonlight. The smell of rat droppings and grease filled the air.
On his wrist tablet, Grayson's drone stream was glowing. Harrison's central level. Jacob's left cage. Mira is correct, sedated, vital signs declining.
Tatiana gasped for air. "How much time?"
"Just twenty minutes prior to organ failure."
Cole looked up the charge of breaching. “On three, flashbangs.”
Lucy had her ankle ties cut by Victoria. "You die when you scream."
Lucy nodded, her tears slicing through the dirt.
With a Glock in one hand and a dagger in the other, Alexander led the point. They moved from shadow to shadow like fog. A guard with a bright cigarette came around the corner. Alexander flashed his blade. The man's throat opened and he fell silently.
Face stony, Tatiana stepped over the body. "Unambiguous."
They arrived at the main floor. Harrison was standing on a metal table with Mira limp under a hanging worklight. She had IV lines running into her arm. Five-year-old Jacob, blond and scared, hunched in a dog box with his fingers sticking through bars.
Mira's throat was pressed up against Harrison's knife. Patents. Right now.
Alexander moved to the center of attention. "Release her."
Harrison's chuckle was heard. "You first." A drop of blood formed as he squeezed the blade.
Tatiana's Glock jerked to life. "Give her another touch; I'll take your hand."
With her pistol out, Victoria turned to the left. "Simple, cousin. The family get-together is over.
Cole threw a flashbang at them. It clinked and rolled. Harrison's gaze expanded.
The sound was deafening. The light was white and strobed. Alexander made a lunge. Harrison cut wildly. Hot fire erupted from the knife as it struck Alexander's forearm. Ignoring it, he threw Harrison to the floor. Bone on bone, the fists swung.
Tatiana tore IVs free and leaped the table. Mira's eyelids fluttered as she gasped. "Mom?"
"I got you, sweetie." She took the girl in her arms and held her tight.
Cole opened the carton with a kick. Sobbing, Jacob staggered out. Lucy collapsed to her knees as she raced to him. "Baby, I'm here. I'm present.
With his bandage leaking blood, Grayson covered the exits. "We're burned. Four police officers."
Harrison's wrists were zip-tied by Victoria. I'll cut your face for I*******m if you don't confess on camera.
Harrison spewed blood. Benjamin has left already. private aircraft. Cayman at sunrise.
He was pulled up by the collar by Alexander. "Then the message is you."
He threw a recorder down and pulled Harrison to the table. "Speak."
Harrison's tone faltered. "Stolen patents. The heir of Mira. Alex was framed by Benjamin. Everything.
Tatiana pocketed the drive and hit stop. "Insurance."
Mira shifted around in her embrace. "Daddy Ghost?"
Alexander bent down and gave her a forehead kiss. "Right here, little one."
His vision became hazy. Spots of black danced. He wavered.
He was apprehended by Tatiana. "Alex?"
Blackridge's gift of radiation poisoning struck like a freight train. Black phlegm spattered the concrete as he coughed. He felt pain in his stomach.
Over communications, Grayson's voice cracked. Medevac is on its way. Wait a moment.
Tatiana threaded Alexander's hair while holding his head on her lap. "Remain with me."
He took hold of her wrist. "Island." Assure me.
Sirens cried out nearer. Cole burned the patents, causing the paper to turn black. Victoria tucked the knife away after wiping it.
Lucy rocked Jacob in her arms. "Are we free?"
Tatiana never took her eyes off Alexander. "Not just yet."
His body seized. His lips flecked with foam. His name was screamed by Tatiana.
Dropping down to them, Grayson tore open the medical kit. "Now, atropine."
Cole poked Alexander's thigh with the needle. His pulse was faint, but the seizure slowed.
Grayson's code blue yelled from the hospital pager.
In the distance, monitors screeched. The ER coded Grayson.
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Chapter 13: Radiation Confession
The air was heavy with the sterile smell of antiseptic. The heart monitor's steady beeping reverberated across the otherwise quiet room as Grayson lay in the hospital bed. Every breath seemed to be an extraordinary effort, and his body felt heavier than usual. He could feel it, the poison was working its way through his veins, his every cell screaming in pain. His mind was as sharp as ever, but his body was shutting down. Tatiana was standing next to him, staring at him with a mix of worry and something more intense flitting in her eyes. She had supported him through more difficult times, watched him fight in conflicts, and stood by him through innumerable crises, but now there was a strange weight between them. Both of them were aware that time was running out. A new wave of sickness struck Grayson, causing his face to twist in agony and his fingers to twitch feebly. He tried to sit up, but his body revolted, and he sank back into the pillows with a groan. "Stop, Grayson
Chapter 12: Ledger Ghosts
Isabella Montgomery's fingers sped over the keyboard like lightening. Each instruction and keystroke was a deliberate blow, a direct assault on Benjamin Whitaker's kingdom. She wasn't merely breaking into the system; she was destroying the basis of his fortune. "Done," she whispered to herself as the final upload concluded. Her screen came to life, verifying that all of the major outlets were now using the altered financial information. The world was about to discover Benjamin's dark secret—his money-laundering schemes masquerading as charitable organizations for kids. Breathing deeply, she slumped back in her chair as the moment's truth set in. It was finished. The evidence was visible. The world would be aware of Benjamin's actions. A crystal decanter broke against the wall in Benjamin Whitaker's luxury suite across town. The piercing boom reverberated throughout the opulent room as glass fragments were strewn all over the floor. With his fist gripped so tightly that it
Chapter 11: Hospital Shadows
The gentle hum of equipment blended with the sterile fragrance of the intensive care unit. Grayson's body was in ruins, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, and the cardiac monitor's constant beeping abruptly stopped. A nurse's hands were shaking as she rushed for the defibrillator, and the seconds flew by. He froze. The air seemed to hold its breath, and his chest froze. After a few stressful moments, his heart was brought back to life by a powerful electrical surge that surged through his body. Fighting the pressure in his head, his eyelids flickered open, albeit unfocused. His senses were dull, his limbs were weak, and the room appeared to be a blur. The voice said, "Come on, Grayson, stay with us," above the mist. It belonged to Victoria Langford; it was sleek and dominant. Always in charge. With his teeth clinched, Grayson said, "Don't think... you can get rid of me yet," She whispered, "Get a grip," as she smoothed his wet hair back. Even when a man she
Chapter 10: Knife in the Dark
Like a tomb, the warehouse doors yawned open. Alexander coasted on momentum until gravel crunched beneath the tires after killing the Suburban's engine two blocks out. With his mask tight and his scar aching, he ventured out into the darkness. With Mira's weight pressing heavily against her chest in the sling, Tatiana trailed behind, Glock lifted. Lucy's zip-ties were rattling with each stumble, and Cole and Victoria were at her sides. Despite the pain, Grayson brought up the rear with his AR-15 solid and his side bandaged tightly.Alexander had a buzzing burner. Bring the patents, Harrison. She may also bleed.He smashed the phone and threw away the pieces. "No bargain."When Tatiana noticed the ink leaking through his shirt, her gaze shifted. "You're on fire.""Later." He gestured ahead.Boots silent on crumbling concrete, they crept through a side door. Broken skylights striped the floor with moonlight. The smell of rat droppings and grease filled the air.On his wrist tablet, Gray
Chapter 9: Nanny’s Lie
Headlights carved golden tunnels through dripping darkness as the Suburban was completely engulfed by the subway tube. Overhead, corroded pipes plinked with water. Alexander killed the engine next to a platform covered with graffiti. The air tasted of old pennies and mold.The girl's head lolled on Tatiana's shoulder as she carried her down the stairs. Cole soaked the former Ranger's side with blood as he supported Grayson. The woman staggered, her face swelling, as Victoria pulled her by the zip-ties.A maintenance door was kicked open by Alexander. Inside are monitors flickering with city feeds, folding tables, and buzzing generators. He strapped Lucy's ankles and threw her onto a metal chair."Speak," he said in a flat voice.Lucy's lip broke, gushing blood. Benjamin first appeared at the shelter three years ago. claimed that if I monitored Tatiana, he would locate Jacob. fed him every bedtime tale and every word from his "daddy."Mira's blanket caused Tatiana's knuckles to turn wh
Chapter 8: Safehouse Siege
The safehouse door blew inward, sending shrapnel-like splinters flying. Barking from his AR-15, Grayson charged through the smoke. Flashes of muzzles swept through the dark living room. Before they cleared leather, two of Harrison's guards fell; one was shot three times in the chest, while the other was shot in the eye."Leave clear!" Grayson let out a yell.Alexander, Glock spraying fire, leaped the couch. With his knife out, a third guard sprang from the corridor. Alexander swerved and pushed the man's throat with his elbow. The cartilage crunched. The guard fell and gurgled.Mira gripped tightly as Tatiana ran past. "Basement!"Victoria kept her weapon steady and covered the back. "The stairs are really hot!"The drywall over her head was eaten by an automatic fire. She rolled and fired back two accurate rounds. With a lurch, the gunman on the landing fell down the stairs.The basement door was kicked open by Grayson. The air was stale, with bleach, mildew, and fear. Lucy Martin wa
