Chapter 13 - The Tides Turn
Just as Christian's consciousness began to slip, the study double doors blew open with a deafening crash.
""Police! Drop to the ground! Both of you, hands where we can see them!""
Four heavily armed tactical officers swarmed into the room, assault rifles trained on the center of the study. Behind them strode Marcus Reed, holding up high-level federal warrants, accompanied by the city's Deputy Chief of Police.
""Stand down, Julian,"" Marcus commanded. ""Every word of your confession was transmitted directly to the city emergency dispatch and broadcast over the lobby speakers to fifty reporters waiting downstairs.""
Julian froze, his fingers loosening from Christian’s throat. He looked up into the laser sights dancing across his chest. Slow, bitter realization washed the color from his face. He slowly raised his hands into the air, trembling with humiliated rage.
Officers instantly tackled Julian to the floor, forcing his arms behind his back with the sharp snap of steel cuffs. Another officer restrained Evelyn, who broke into hysterical, incoherent weeping as she was pushed against the mahogany desk.
Christian rolled onto his side, coughing violently, gasping for air. Clara scrambled across the floor, ignoring the police commands, and dropped to her knees beside him.
May you like
""Christian!"" she cried, gathering his head into her lap, exactly as she had on the cold marble floor twenty-four hours before.
Christian reached up, his bruised fingers tangling gently into her dark hair. A weak smile touched his lips. ""You saved me... again.""
