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Chapter 8 - The Reckoning

Chaos exploded across the ballroom.

Screams echoed from the wealthy guests as they scattered toward the exit doors, diving behind velvet sofas and marble pillars.

Julian Vance’s personal bodyguards drew their weapons, but Arthur’s men were faster. Gunfire erupted in sharp, controlled bursts, tearing through the gilded decorations of the grand hall.

“Kill him!” Julian shrieked, scrambling backward behind the stage toward a private exit. “Kill him now!”

A massive mercenary, built like a brick wall, charged at Arthur with a raised combat knife. But before the blade could descend, Titan launched himself through the air with a ferocious roar, taking the mercenary down to the floor in a flurry of leather and teeth.

Maeve ducked behind a heavy mahogany bar, her heart hammering, keeping her eyes on Julian.

Julian was reaching into his jacket for a hidden revolver, aiming directly at Arthur’s exposed back as Arthur engaged another gunman.

“Arthur! Watch out!” Maeve screamed.

Without thinking, Maeve grabbed a heavy crystal champagne bottle from the ice bucket on the bar and sprinted across the polished floor. Before Julian could pull the trigger, Maeve brought the bottle down with all her strength against the side of his head!

CRASH!

The glass shattered into a thousand glittering pieces. Julian staggered sideways, groaning in pain, dropping his gun as blood welled from his temple.

Arthur turned just in time. He seized Julian by the throat, slamming him hard against the floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooking the rainy city skyline below.

The glass cracked under the force of the impact.

Julian gasped for air, his hands clawing helplessly at Arthur’s iron grip. “Arthur... please... we’re family...!”

“Family doesn't tie a man behind a dumpster,” Arthur growled, his voice vibrating with absolute fury. “Family doesn't put a muzzle on a helpless animal. And family doesn't touch the woman I love.”

Arthur tightened his grip, his eyes gleaming with lethal finality.

“No, Arthur!” Maeve’s voice broke through the madness of the room.

Arthur paused, his hand still locked around Julian’s throat, looking back at her.

Maeve stood amidst the ruined ballroom, rain pouring through broken windows, her hands trembling, but her gaze steady and full of light.

“Don't break your soul for him,” Maeve begged softly. “Let the law take what’s left of him. Let him rot in a cell knowing he lost everything to a waitress and a dog.”

Arthur looked at Julian’s pathetic, gasping face, then back at Maeve. The dark, bloodthirsty fury in his eye slowly began to recede, replaced by the warmth she had brought into his life.

Arthur released his grip.

Julian dropped to his knees, coughing violently, clutching his neck.

Gabriel immediately stepped forward, slapping heavy steel handcuffs around Julian’s wrists.

“Federal agents and police are five minutes away, Boss,” Gabriel reported with a grim smile. “We’ve leaked all of Julian’s offshore bank accounts and arson evidence to the District Attorney. He’s going away for life.”

Arthur turned away from his former brother, stepping past the destruction, past the fallen guards, until he stood right before Maeve.

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He took her bruised, glass-cut hands into his own, lifting them to his lips.

“It’s over, Maeve,” Arthur whispered. “The war is won.”

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