Chapter 7 - The Final Second
Julian dropped to his knees beside the dying operative, grabbing him by the tactical vest. "What are you talking about? Who gave the order?"
Nikolai’s breath rattled in his chest. "Sterling... made a deal with the Bratva. They don't want a war... they want Clara dead to finalize the merger. The bomb triggers... on the stroke of midnight."
Julian glanced at his watch: 11:58 PM. Two minutes.
"Where is the master detonator?" Julian demanded, shaking the man.
"Inside... Victoria's locket," Nikolai gasped, his eyes rolling back as his body went limp.
Julian didn't hesitate. He scooped Clara up into his arms, ignoring the searing pain from the cut across his chest. "We have to move. Now."
"What about your files? Your empire?" Clara protested as he dragged her out into the service corridor.
"Paper can burn. You won't," Julian growled, shoving open the heavy fire-exit door.
They sprinted down the emergency stairwell, taking the concrete steps three at a time. The penthouse above them felt like a ticking coffin. Julian’s boots slammed against the steel steps, Clara’s smaller frame struggling to keep up despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
They reached the 48th floor landing just as Julian’s watch beeped softly.
12:00 AM.
An earth-shattering boom erupted from above. The shockwave blew out the fire doors, sending a torrent of smoke, fire, and concrete dust cascading down the stairwell. Julian threw his entire body over Clara, pressing her against the cold concrete corner as the ceiling groaned and cracked overhead.
The world shook violently, the sound of tearing metal and collapsing concrete deafening them. When the roar finally subsided into a suffocating silence of falling ash, Julian lifted his head, coughing through the soot.
May you like
Clara opened her eyes, looking up into Julian’s soot-streaked face. His arms were wrapped around her like an iron fortress.
Then, from the darkness of the landing below them, the slow, rhythmic sound of clapping echoed up the stairwell.
