THE SECRETS WE BURIED

The mercenary’s words hung in the air, a death sentence masquerading as a negotiation.

Sebastian’s face hardened into granite. He didn't blink. He didn't bargain. "No one touches my daughter."

"You don't have a choice," the mercenary laughed, stepping closer. "It's three against one. Drop the gun."

"Two against three," Genevieve corrected.

Without hesitation, Genevieve lunged forward, driving a concealed combat knife straight into the thigh of the mercenary standing closest to her. The man shrieked, dropping to the floor.

Chaos erupted. The penthouse became a warzone.

Sebastian moved with terrifying, practiced efficiency. He didn't fire blindly; he stepped inside the lead mercenary’s guard, grabbing the barrel of the assault rifle and twisting it violently upward. The gun fired into the ceiling, showering them in plaster. With his free hand, Sebastian delivered a devastating strike to the man’s throat, crushing his windpipe.

The third mercenary swung his weapon toward Genevieve.

Sebastian didn't have time to aim. He threw his heavy, empty handgun like a baseball. It caught the mercenary squarely between the eyes, stunning him long enough for Sebastian to cross the room and tackle him through the glass partition of Victoria's desk.

Glass shattered, wood splintered, and the room fell brutally silent, save for the groans of the incapacitated men.

Breathing heavily, his knuckles split and bleeding, Sebastian stood up. He looked at Genevieve. She was clutching her bleeding shoulder, but she was alive. For the first time in eleven years, they were truly on the same side.

A click echoed behind them.

Arthur had scrambled across the floor and picked up a dropped handgun. He was shaking, his hair disheveled, pointing the weapon directly at Genevieve.

"This is your fault," Arthur cried, his sanity entirely unraveled. "If you had just died in that crash, everything would be perfect!"

Sebastian stepped between them, shielding his sister just as he had shielded his daughter hours ago. "It's over, Arthur. The police are already on their way. Marcus triggered the silent alarm the moment we breached the gates."

"I'm not going to prison!" Arthur screamed. He tightened his finger on the trigger.

Sebastian didn't brace for impact. He simply looked his brother in the eye. "Then shoot me. But know that if you pull that trigger, you die a coward, and no one will ever remember your name."

Arthur hesitated. The absolute, unshakeable authority in Sebastian’s eyes broke the last remnants of his brother’s resolve. The gun wobbled in his hand.

Suddenly, the wail of police sirens pierced the quiet night, echoing up from the city streets below. Red and blue lights began to reflect off the surrounding skyscrapers.

Arthur dropped the gun. He collapsed to his knees, sobbing into his hands.