Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
Victor’s smile vanished.
He raised his rifle, aiming directly at Dorian’s chest.
But Dorian was faster.
He didn't aim for the heavy ceramic plates of Victor’s body armor.
Dorian fired a single shot that shattered Victor’s right knee.
Victor screamed, his leg collapsing beneath him as he crashed onto the marble floor of the foyer.
His rifle clattered out of reach.
The remaining mercenaries saw their leader fall and hesitated, suddenly unsure if the money was worth fighting the devil himself.
Dorian walked slowly down the grand staircase, his weapon pointed directly at Victor's head.
"Drop your weapons!" Dorian roared to the remaining men.
"The money Victor promised you doesn't exist."
"I have already frozen his offshore accounts."
The mercenaries exchanged nervous glances.
They knew Dorian’s reputation.
One by one, they lowered their weapons and backed away, leaving their crippled leader bleeding on the floor.
Dorian stood over Victor, his eyes utterly devoid of mercy or forgiveness.
"You sold me out for greed, Victor," Dorian said quietly.
"I did what I had to do to survive!" Victor spat, clutching his shattered knee.
"You were getting soft, Dorian."
"You care too much about the wrong people."
Dorian thought about the terrified woman hiding upstairs, holding onto a dead man's watch.
"You are right," Dorian agreed softly.
"I care."
Dorian raised his weapon and pulled the trigger.
The echoing crack of the gunshot signaled the absolute end of the rebellion.
Justice had finally been served for Daniel Caldwell.
The mansion fell deathly silent, the remaining smoke drifting slowly toward the shattered ceiling.
Dorian lowered his gun, suddenly feeling the immense weight of the past two days crashing down on his shoulders.
He turned his back on the carnage and walked slowly back up the stairs.
When he reached the master bathroom, Titan let out a soft whine and moved aside.
Marin was curled in the tub, her hands over her ears, tears streaming down her pale face.
Dorian dropped his weapon on the floor.
He knelt beside the tub and gently reached for her.
Marin didn't pull away.
She threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
Dorian wrapped his strong arms around her, burying his face in her hair.
"It's over," he whispered fiercely into the darkness.
May you like
"They are gone."
"I have you."
