Chapter 14 - The Final Stand
The warehouse erupted into absolute chaos. Before Marcus’s guards could raise their weapons, heavily armed tactical operatives poured out of the smashed vehicle, returning a devastating volley of suppressive fire that shattered the overhead skylights and sent glass raining down like hailstones.
Daniel instantly recognized the insignia on their tactical gear—they weren't syndicate enforcers, and they weren't police. They were federal agents from a specialized cross-border task force that Daniel had secretly been cooperating with for months to dismantle Marcus’s empire from the inside out.
“Secure the perimeter! Take down anyone with a weapon!” shouted the lead commander, ducking behind a concrete pillar.
Vince panicked, drawing his sidearm and leveling it directly at Daniel’s head. “If I’m going down, you’re coming with me, Vance!”
Before Vince could pull the trigger, a sharp crack echoed across the room. A precise round struck Vince’s wrist, sending his pistol clattering uselessly against the concrete floor with a howl of pain. Vince clutched his bleeding hand, stumbling backward into the arms of advancing federal agents who quickly tackled and zip-tied him to the floor.
Marcus tried to scramble toward the side exit, but two agents cut off his path, forcing him to his knees with his hands locked behind his head.
Daniel strained against his chair until one of the friendly operatives rushed over with a combat knife, slicing through the heavy leather straps in seconds. Daniel surged to his feet, ignoring the aching pain in his bruised muscles.
“Where is my family?” Daniel demanded, grabbing the lead agent by the vest with an intensity that made the veteran operative flinch.
May you like
“They’re safe, Vance,” the agent panted, lowering his rifle. “Our intercept team intercepted the SUV chasing your wife’s car on the highway five minutes ago. They’re being escorted to a secure federal safehouse right now.”
Daniel closed his eyes for a single fraction of a second, letting out a long, shuddering breath as the crushing weight finally lifted from his chest.
