Chapter 14
The flashing red and blue lights of the federal blockade illuminated the entire length of Blackwood Pier, casting long, frantic shadows across the wet wooden planks. Senator Vance kept the cold barrel of his pistol pressed firmly against Elena’s temple, his eyes darting wildly between Julian and the oncoming convoy of tactical vehicles.
"Stay back! Back up, I'm warning you!" Vance screamed over the deafening roar of the ocean waves and the wailing sirens.
"You're surrounded, Senator," Captain Vance’s amplified voice boomed from a loudspeaker on the lead tactical vehicle parked at the entrance of the pier. "Drop your weapon immediately and place your hands on your head. There is no escape!"
"I'm not going to a federal prison!" Vance snarled, his breath coming in ragged, desperate gasps. He began dragging Elena backward toward the crumbling edge of the stone foundation where the old lighthouse met the sea. "If I go down, I'm taking the Vanguard legacy straight into the ocean with us!"
Elena kept her gaze locked on the dark shadows near the base of the lighthouse tower. Through the sheets of driving rain, she saw a figure detach itself from the wall—one of Beatrice’s private guards who had managed to slip away during the chaos at the estate, holding a heavy iron crowbar.
Before Vance could pull Elena any closer to the edge, Julian made his move. He didn't reach for his gun. Instead, he sprinted forward with explosive speed, sliding across the wet wooden planks directly toward Vance’s legs.
Vance panicked, pulling the trigger prematurely. The gunshot cracked loudly through the storm, the bullet embedding harmlessly into the wooden decking just inches from Julian’s foot.
At that exact second, Elena twisted violently out of Vance’s grip, using her full weight to drive her elbow backward into his ribs. Vance gasped in pain, losing his footing on the slick stone edge.
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Before Julian could reach them, the shadow from the lighthouse lunged forward—not to help Vance, but to shove him aside in a desperate bid to escape past the tactical blockade. The guard slammed hard in
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