Chapter 8 - The Siege at Dock 14
Torrential rain hammered the metal roof of Warehouse 14 at the edge of the abandoned docks. Inside, Marina was tied to a wooden chair beneath a harsh overhead light.
Eleanor Vance stood before her, holding the silver flash drive, while Sarah Sterling typed rapidly on a laptop, transferring the stolen files to an untraceable server.
"You were always a nuisance, Marina," Eleanor sneered, pacing around her. "Your father soft-hearted, just like you. He wanted to give away millions in free medicine to poor families. That's not how empires are built."
"You're going to prison, Eleanor," Marina rasped, her lips dry. "Miles knows. He won't stop."
"Miles Kincaid is a businessman," Sarah interrupted without looking up from her screen. "Once the evidence is erased and you disappear, Miles will cut his losses to protect his company's stock price. He doesn't love you, Marina. You were just his children's nanny."
Suddenly, the massive steel doors of the warehouse blew inward with a deafening explosion. Flashbang grenades blinded the guards, followed by the tactical roar of armed security officers flooding the floor.
"Clear! Clear!"
Panic broke out. Julian drew a handgun, grabbing Eleanor to use her as a shield, while Sarah tried to snatch the laptop and run for the rear exit.
Through the smoke walked Miles Kincaid. He held a tactical sidearm, his eyes lethal, his suit soaked through with rain.
"Sarah," Miles said, his voice cutting through the ringing noise. "You sold out my family."
Sarah backed away, pale and trembling. "Miles... they offered me fifty million... I was tired of being your shadow!"
"You picked the wrong side," Miles replied coldly.
Before Julian could raise his weapon toward Miles, Arthur flanked him from the shadows, tackling him to the concrete floor and disarming him in seconds. Eleanor collapsed to her knees, weeping as police sirens echoed in the distance, surrounding the building.
Miles didn't wait for the officers. He rushed straight to Marina, pulling out a pocket knife to slice through her ropes.
May you like
"I'm here," he whispered, pulling her weak body against his chest, burying his face in her hair. "I've got you. I'm sorry I was late."
Marina squeezed his jacket tightly, tears spilling over her cheeks. "You weren't late. You came."
