Chapter 18 - The Sins of the Fathers
Arthur Sterling walked out of the courtroom just in time to see the absolute devastation on Adrian's face.
When Adrian quickly explained the hostage situation, Sterling’s old, tired eyes hardened into solid chips of icy flint.
"The federal authorities move entirely too slow for a hostage situation like this," Sterling stated, tapping his cane aggressively against the marble floor.
"If we wait for the FBI hostage rescue team to navigate the bureaucratic red tape, that little girl will drown."
Adrian nodded, his jaw clenched so tightly it felt like his teeth were going to shatter.
"We have to do this ourselves, right now," Adrian declared, looking at Marcus.
"Gather the remaining Caldwell security forces, grab every single weapon we have, and prep the armored vehicles."
Sterling pulled out his own phone, dialing a number he had not used since his own tragic accident fifteen years ago.
"My private military contractors are already stationed three miles from the harbor," Sterling told Adrian.
"I am authorizing them to follow your command, Caldwell, and they have orders to shoot on sight."
Noah stepped forward, grabbing the sleeve of his father's expensive suit jacket.
"Let me go with you," the boy pleaded, his face pale but fiercely determined.
"I know how these people operate, I know how they hide things, I can help!"
Adrian knelt down instantly, grabbing Noah by both shoulders and looking deeply into his bright green eyes.
"Absolutely not," Adrian said, his voice trembling with overwhelming parental fear.
"You are going to stay here in this secure building with your mother, and you are going to be safe."
"I spent ten years living in a nightmare because I failed to protect you once."
"I will not make that mistake ever again, do you understand me?"
Noah nodded slowly, tears welling up in his eyes as he hugged his father tightly.
"Bring her back, dad," Noah whispered into Adrian's shoulder.
"I promise you, son," Adrian swore, standing up and racking the slide of a heavy black pistol he pulled from Marcus's bag.
The two billionaires, former bitter enemies united by a shared love for one boy, walked out of the courthouse side by side.
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They climbed into the back of a heavily armored tactical SUV, the engine roaring to life with aggressive power.
The streets of Charleston were about to become a brutal warzone, and Adrian Caldwell was entirely prepared to unleash absolute hell.
