Chapter 11 - The Takedown
I stopped trembling. My posture straightened, the facade of the frightened daughter melting away instantly to reveal the battle-hardened officer underneath. I picked up the gold pen, looked at it for a second, and then snapped it perfectly in half, dropping the ink-stained pieces onto the contract.
Sterling’s face twisted in rage. "You stupid bitch," he snarled, snapping his fingers at the two massive guards by the door. "Grab her. Break her arm until she signs it with the other one."
The first guard lunged forward, reaching for my shoulder. He expected a terrified civilian. Instead, I pivoted on my good leg, grabbed his outstretched wrist, and used his own momentum to throw him face-first into the edge of the heavy mahogany desk. He crumpled to the floor, instantly unconscious. The second guard reached for a pistol holstered at his waist, but my military reflexes were faster. I closed the distance in a heartbeat, delivered a crushing elbow strike to his throat, and swept his legs. He hit the floor gasping for air, clutching his neck.
Sterling scrambled backward out of his leather chair, his arrogance completely shattered, dropping his cigar onto the expensive rug. He reached for a drawer, likely going for a weapon, but before he could open it, the office doors exploded off their hinges. A dozen FBI SWAT agents poured into the room, assault rifles raised, laser sights painting Sterling’s chest.
"FBI! Hands in the air! Get down on the ground!" the lead agent roared.
Sterling froze, raising his hands slowly, his face drained of all color. He looked from the armed agents to me, realizing for the first time exactly who he had picked a fight with. As the agents slammed him onto the carpet and ratcheted handcuffs onto his wrists, Marcus walked into the room, wearing his tactical vest. He looked at the two unconscious guards on the floor, then smiled at me. "I see you didn't need the cavalry after all, Carter."
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I walked over to the corner where my father was tied to the chair. An agent had already cut his restraints. My father stood up, rubbing his wrists, tears streaming down his bruised face. "Evelyn... my god, Evelyn, you saved my life. You saved us. I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you, I swear I'll be a real father—"
I held up a hand, stopping his words dead in his throat. The coldness in my eyes made him flinch. "You don't get it, Robert. I didn't do this for you. I did this to protect Grandpa's land. The federal government has seized all of Sterling’s assets, which means your debt is gone. But so is your connection to me. If I ever see you or Margaret near my property again, I won't call the FBI. I'll handle it myself." I turned and walked out of the office, the sound of my boots echoing through the halls of a fallen empire.
