Chapter 7 - Alliance in Blood
The heavy corrugated iron doors of the warehouse blew inward with an explosive roar.
Kieran hadn't come alone. He had brought two tactical squads, blowing out the power grid of the entire industrial park simultaneously, plunging the interior into pitch darkness.
Muzzle flashes strobed through the cavernous space. Vance’s men returned fire frantically, caught completely off guard by the sudden assault.
Behind the iron pillar, Meredith worked the steel pick into the locking mechanism of her zip-ties. With a sharp snap, her hands came free. She immediately reached over, slicing through Jolene’s bonds with her utility blade.
"Stay down," Meredith whispered, pulling Jolene behind a stack of rusted steel plates.
Vance, screaming in rage, ran toward the central control platform where the master detonator box sat. "I'll kill you all!" he roared, reaching for the big red manual lever.
Meredith didn't hesitate. She dashed across the open catwalk, dodging stray gunfire. As Vance reached for the lever, Meredith slammed into him from the side, sending both of them crashing onto the iron grating.
Vance, taller and heavier, threw a wild punch that caught Meredith across the cheekbone, sending her spinning back. He drew a combat knife, lunging for her throat. Meredith caught his wrist, twisting it outward with leverage and breaking his grip, driving her knee hard into his ribs.
Vance gasped, stumbling backward right into the shadow of Kieran Ashford.
Kieran caught Vance by the collar, slamming him against the steel railing with terrifying force. The knife clattered to the ground below. Kieran’s gun was pressed directly beneath Vance’s chin.
"Please..." Vance choked out, his eyes wide with absolute panic.
"You threatened my sister," Kieran whispered, his voice dark and absolute. "And you laid a hand on the woman I love."
Before Kieran could pull the trigger, Meredith’s hand rested gently on his wrist.
Kieran froze. He looked down at her. Blood trickled from a small cut on her cheek, but her eyes were remarkably clear and steady.
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"Don't do it for him, Kieran," Meredith said softly. "He isn't worth giving up who you are. Put him in a cell where he belongs. Let the law finish him."
Kieran stared at her, the dark fury in his eyes slowly receding as he processed her words. He slowly lowered the weapon, striking Vance across the temple with the heavy steel grip, knocking him unconscious.
