Chapter 5 - THE SIEGE
When Ethan opened his eyes, his head was throbbing with excruciating pain. He was tied to a wooden chair in his own living room. Blood had dried on the side of his face.
Standing in front of him was Victor, calmly sipping a glass of Ethan’s expensive whiskey. Chloe was pacing nervously in the corner, holding the stolen will and property deeds.
“Ah, the host is awake,” Victor smiled wickedly. “You have a lovely home, Ethan. It’s a shame your father didn't leave any of it to poor Chloe here. But luckily for her, we can fix that.”
“You’re out of your mind,” Ethan rasped, his throat dry. “The police will be looking for you. My wife is at the hospital—if I don't check in, she’ll call the cops.”
“Oh, your wife?” Chloe scoffed, walking over and slapping Ethan’s face hard. “The doctor said she’s heavily sedated. She won't be calling anyone for hours. By the time anyone realizes you’re missing, you’ll have signed the property transfer documents, and Victor will have his money.”
Victor pulled out a set of legal papers and laid them on the coffee table alongside a pen. “Here’s the deal, Ethan. Sign over the commercial real estate and this house to a shell company I control. In exchange, I don't end your life right here.”
“And if I refuse?” Ethan spat on the floor.
Victor pulled out a silenced pistol and pointed it directly at Ethan’s forehead. “Then I kill you, take your thumbprint to forge the digital authorization, and then my men will pay a little visit to the NICU unit at the hospital to finish off your tiny daughter.”
Ethan’s heart stopped. The world seemed to stand still.
“You touch my daughter,” Ethan growled, his eyes turning bloody red with unadulterated fury, “and I will tear you apart with my bare hands!”
“Sign the papers, Ethan!” Chloe screamed, panic taking over her voice. “Just sign them! I don't want to kill you, but I’m not going to jail or getting killed by Victor’s boss!”
Ethan looked at the papers. He looked at Victor’s cold, calculated eyes. He realized there was no scenario where Victor let him live after signing those documents. Chloe was too stupid to realize it, but Victor was going to eliminate all witnesses.
Ethan took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He needed a distraction.
“Fine,” Ethan stammered, pretending to break down in tears. “Fine! Just don't hurt my baby. I’ll sign... but my hands are tied behind my back.”
Victor smirked. “Smart boy.” He gestured to one of his thugs. “Untie his hands. But keep the gun on him.”
The thug stepped behind Ethan and sliced through the ropes binding his wrists.
As soon as his hands were free, Ethan reached toward the table, picking up the pen. He leaned over the papers, pretending to write.
Then, in one lightning-fast motion, Ethan slammed the metal pen upward, jamming it deep into the neck of the thug standing right beside him!
The man shrieked, clutching his bleeding throat. Ethan grabbed the man’s fallen gun, spun around, and fired three rounds into Victor’s chest!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Victor collapsed onto the rug, blood pooling around him. The other thug pulled out his weapon, but Ethan dove behind the sofa, firing blindly. A bullet caught the second thug in the shoulder, sending him crashing into the display cabinet.
Chloe shrieked in terror, dropping to her knees and covering her ears.
Ethan scrambled up, his gun aimed directly at the surviving thug, who immediately raised his hands, groaning in pain.
“Get down on the floor!” Ethan yelled.
The room was filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder. Ethan was breathing heavily, his hands shaking, holding the gun steady. He turned his gaze slowly toward Chloe, who was cowering under the dining table, crying uncontrollably.
“Ethan... please!” Chloe sobbed, holding her hands up. “I’m your sister! They forced me to do it! Victor threatened to kill me!”
“Shut up,” Ethan said, his voice completely hollow.
He pulled out his cell phone with his free hand and dialed 911. “I need emergency services at 442 Elm Street. Shots fired. Multiple intruders down.”
Ten minutes later, the house was surrounded by flashing red and blue lights. Police officers stormed the building, securing the scene, arresting the surviving thugs, and placing Chloe in handcuffs.
As the paramedics checked Ethan’s head wound, Chloe was led past him in restraints.
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“Ethan! Please tell them it was a mistake!” she wailed, tears smearing her makeup. “I’m your family!”
Ethan didn't even look at her. “I don't have a sister.”
