Chapter 6 - THE BOUNTYBy 2:00 AM, the Cross Estate was transformed into an impenetrable fortress.
Fifty heavily armed tactical guards patrolled the perimeter walls. Automated defense turrets rose from the manicured lawns. Helicopter searchlights swept across the dark waters of Long Island Sound.
Inside the subterranean command center beneath the manor, Alexander stood before a wall of glowing digital monitors displaying tactical heat maps of New York City.
Hannah stood beside him, dressed in black tactical trousers and a fitted jacket, her dark eyes sharp, focused, and completely devoid of fear.
"Fifty million dollars," Hannah said quietly, reviewing the dark-web bounty notice on the central screen. "Eleanor Vane must be desperate."
"The Vane family defaulted on their offshore debt loans yesterday," Alexander explained, tracing a finger across the map of Lower Manhattan. "Without the Elysium Fund ledger, their bank accounts will be seized by the Italian Syndicate by Friday. Eleanor needs you alive to unlock the encrypted drive."
"Where is she hiding?" Hannah asked.
"An abandoned naval shipyard in Staten Island," Alexander answered. "She’s gathered sixty international mercenaries. Trevor is with her."
Alexander turned to his security chief, Marco. "Prepare the strike team. Four armored SUVs. We end this tonight."
"Wait," Hannah interrupted, stepping forward.
Alexander looked at his wife. "Hannah, you are staying inside the panic room beneath this house."
"No," Hannah said firmly, holding his gaze with absolute resolve. "My father spent twenty years running from these monsters. I spent my youth believing I was powerless while Trevor’s family walked over my life. I am not running anymore, Alexander."
Alexander stared at her for a long, silent moment.
A slow, proud smile broke across his rugged features. He reached into his belt, pulled out a custom silver-plated 9mm pistol with a raven crest engraved on the slide, and placed it into her hand.
"Do you know how to use this, mia regina?"
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"You taught me yourself," Hannah said smoothly, racking the slide with a clean, practiced CLACK.
"Then let's go collect our debt," Alexander growled.
