BENEATH THE MONSTER’S BED

The panic room terminal hummed to life. Maya’s fingers flew across the keyboard. She wasn't just a maid; before David ruined her credit, she had been a junior accountant.

"Password?" the prompt blinked.

"Viper," Maya said, typing it in. "David used it for everything."

The screen lit up with Victor Cassian’s empire. Hundreds of millions of dollars, scattered across the Caymans, Switzerland, and shell companies in Delaware.

"Transfer it all to the Chicago Orphanage Foundation," Roman ordered, watching the screen. "Every last cent."

"Done," Maya hit enter.

A massive red ERROR: INSUFFICIENT FUNDS flashed across Victor's master ledger.

"Now," Roman said, stepping out of the panic room. "We talk to my father."

Roman kicked the front door open, stepping out into the rainy night, his hands empty. Maya stood right behind him in the doorway, shielding Elara.

Victor Cassian sneered, leaning on his cane. David stood next to him, looking arrogant. But when David’s eyes landed on Maya, all the color drained from his face.

"Maya?" David choked.

"Hello, David," Maya said, her voice echoing with cold finality. "Enjoying the dead?"

"Kill them both," Victor barked to his men. "Grab the child."

None of the armed guards moved.

Victor turned, his face flushing purple. "I said, kill them!"

The lead guard held up his phone, showing a text alert. "Our offshore retainers just bounced, Victor. Boss says we don't work for free."

Victor snatched the phone, his eyes widening in horror. He turned back to Roman. "What did you do?!"

"I took your money, old man," Roman said, stepping down the porch stairs. "And I bought your army."

David panicked. Realizing his protection was gone, he pulled a pistol from his coat, aiming it erratically at Roman. "I won't go back to being broke! I won't do it!"

Before David could pull the trigger, Roman moved with terrifying speed. But it wasn't a gun Roman reached for. It was the heavy, vintage silver pocket watch he had taken from the dead Russian. He hurled it like a stone.

The heavy silver smashed squarely into David’s face, shattering his nose. David screamed, dropping the gun and collapsing in the mud.