Chapter 8 - CORNERED
What Nathaniel hadn't anticipated was Vance's paranoia.
While Vance was executing the deletion protocol at the office, he had also ordered his fixers to find the physical evidence. The digital wipe wasn't enough; he needed the shoebox. And Vance’s men were professionals. They had bypassed the building's digital firewalls, spoofed a maintenance work order, and disabled the penthouse's secondary alarm systems.
Claire was in the kitchen pouring juice for Sophie when the heavy oak doors of the penthouse burst open.
Two men in dark suits stepped inside, holding suppressed pistols.
"Scream and I shoot," the first man said, locking the door behind him. "Where is the box, lady?"
Claire’s blood ran cold. Nathaniel was in the master study on a secure line with the FBI, coordinating the digital sting. He was entirely unaware they had been breached.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Claire lied, stepping smoothly in front of Sophie to shield her body.
"Don't play dumb," the second man snarled, stepping closer. "Vance wants the papers. Hand them over, and maybe we leave you and the kid breathing."
"Mommy, who are the bad men?" Sophie asked, her lower lip trembling. She clutched Walter the elephant tightly to her chest.
"It's okay, baby," Claire whispered, her eyes frantically scanning the kitchen for a weapon. A heavy cast-iron skillet sat on the stove. It was five feet away. Too far.
"Last chance," the first man said, raising his weapon and pointing it directly at Claire's chest.
Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed through the penthouse. "Get away from them!"
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Nathaniel emerged from the hallway, his face a mask of absolute, unbridled fury. He didn't have a weapon, but he moved with the lethal speed of a man with nothing to lose.
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