Chapter 12 - Broken Ties
Marcus broke into the top-floor penthouse of the Vance Estate through the glass balcony door.
The apartment was pitch black, illuminated only by the rhythmic flashing of police lights on the street below.
"Eleanor!" Marcus called out softly, keeping his weapon low at his side.
Silence answered him from the long, dark corridor leading to the main master suite.
He stepped cautiously across the thick oriental rug, his boots dripping rainwater onto the floor.
A light clicked on behind him, casting a long silhouette across the far wall.
Marcus turned slowly around to find Sarah standing near the doorway, holding a revolver with both hands.
Her face was pale, tears running down her cheeks, her arms shaking violently under the weapon's weight.
"Don't take another step, Marcus," Sarah cried, her finger resting nervously against the trigger.
"Sarah, put the gun down, please," Marcus begged, lowering his own weapon completely.
"My mother told me everything!" Sarah screamed, her voice breaking with intense grief and anger.
"She told me you traded our lives for a corporate payoff!" Sarah added, her vision blurred by tears.
"Your mother lied to you to keep you alive, Sarah!" Marcus yelled back, stepping closer to her.
"She gave me the drive to stop the people who are coming for both of you tonight!" he added desperately.
Sarah shook her head wildly, unable to process the conflicting stories crashing in her mind.
She looked down at the small silver panic button resting inside her left hand.
"I pressed the signal button three minutes ago, Marcus," Sarah whispered with horror in her eyes.
Heavy boots suddenly thundered up the staircase outside the penthouse door.
The heavy oak doors burst inward as armed men in black tactical gear flooded the foyer.
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The lead operative didn't target Marcus; he raised his weapon and aimed directly at Sarah's chest.
"Target confirmed, execute all witnesses," the mercenary commander ordered coldly.
