Chapter 19 - The Ashes
I pressed my trembling hands aggressively against Arthur's bleeding chest, completely forgetting my anger in the face of his impending death.
"Hold on, I can stop the bleeding," I lied frantically, tears blurring my vision as the crimson pool expanded rapidly on the stone floor.
Arthur coughed violently, blood staining his perfect white teeth, as he reached up and grabbed my bloody hand with surprising strength.
"I am so sorry, Clara," he whispered, his cold eyes finally filling with genuine, undeniable remorse. "I let the power rot my soul."
He pressed a heavy, intricately carved brass key into my palm, folding my fingers tightly over the cold metal.
"The vault underneath the old shipyard," he gasped, his breathing growing terrifyingly shallow. "Use it to destroy them. Protect your brother."
Arthur took one final, rattling breath, his chest completely stilling as the life permanently left his eyes.
I stared at his lifeless body for a fraction of a second before a pure, unadulterated rage completely consumed my grief.
I stood up from behind the altar, the brass key securely in my pocket, and picked up a discarded assault rifle from a dead mercenary.
"Dominic, cover the left flank!" I roared over the deafening gunfire, stepping out from cover with absolute, lethal determination.
Dominic did not question my command; he moved with flawless tactical precision, taking out two snipers on the balcony with pinpoint accuracy.
I moved aggressively through the pews, firing in controlled, deadly bursts, my street survival instincts combining flawlessly with the cold blood of my father.
Together, Dominic and I moved like a singular, unstoppable force of nature, systematically clearing the cathedral of every last Volkov mercenary.
When the final cartel member dropped to the floor, the heavy silence that fell over the ruined church was absolutely deafening.
I dropped the empty rifle, my entire body shaking violently as the adrenaline finally began to leave my system.
Dominic rushed to my side, tossing his weapon aside and wrapping his massive, strong arms securely around my trembling frame.
I buried my face into his chest, inhaling the scent of gunpowder and expensive cologne, finally letting out a gut-wrenching sob.
I had every reason to hate him for the fire ten years ago, but the man holding me now had bled, fought, and nearly died to keep my family safe.
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"It is over, Clara," Dominic whispered into my hair, holding me so tightly I felt entirely anchored to the earth. "I swear to God, it is finally over."
We walked out of the burning cathedral together as the distant sirens of the Chicago police began echoing through the freezing night.
