Chapter 5 - The Siege at Carver EstateBack at the Carver mansion, the morning light offered no sense of peace.
Hannah sat in Daniel’s private study, wrapped in a cashmere throw blanket, sipping hot tea while staring at the newly decrypted financial files recovered from Caleb’s rescue. The numbers laid bare the entire conspiracy: Arthur Whitlock had been funneling cartel millions through Aaron’s payroll account to frame Daniel for federal drug trafficking.
The door opened, and Daniel walked in, rolling up his sleeves. His expression was grim.
"Caleb is safely hidden in upstate New York," Daniel said, pouring himself a cup of black coffee. "He’s shaken up, but he’s talking. He gave us the digital signatures we need to freeze all of Whitlock’s offshore accounts by noon."
"And the police?" Hannah asked, looking up. "Can we trust them?"
"Half of them belong to Arthur," Daniel said bluntly, walking over to stand behind her chair. He placed his large hands gently on her shoulders, his thumbs pressing into the tight muscles of her neck. A shudder of electricity ran down Hannah’s spine at his touch. "Which is why we aren't waiting for a warrant. My personal strike team is moving on Whitlock’s downtown headquarters in two hours. Once I dismantle his empire, he’ll spend the rest of his natural life behind bars."
Before Hannah could answer, the security monitor on the mahogany desk flickered violently.
The screen flashed red.
PERIMETER BREACH — NORTH GATE.
Daniel’s body went completely rigid. The warm, grounding pressure vanished from her shoulders as he stepped back, his hand instantly dropping to the heavy, matte-black Sig Sauer pistol holstered beneath his left armpit.
"Martin!" Daniel barked into the intercom.
No answer. Only static and distant, muffled popping sounds that echoed through the stone corridors.
Gunshots.
"They're here," Hannah whispered, her hands flying instantly to protect her seven-month belly. Fear squeezed her chest, cold and paralyzing.
"Stay under this desk," Daniel ordered, his voice dropping into absolute, terrifying alpha command. He racked the slide of his pistol with a sharp, metallic clack. "Do not move, Hannah. No matter what you hear."
"Daniel, no—"
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"Listen to me!" He gripped her face in one hand, his dark eyes burning straight into her soul. "I survived the gutters of Providence, and I built an empire out of blood and ash. I didn't find you and my child just to lose you now. Stay here."
He turned and bolted toward the study doors just as the heavy oak panels exploded inward in a hail of splinters and lead.
