Chapter 9 - The Burning Study
The room rapidly filled with blinding, thick black smoke as the intense flames aggressively consumed the antique bookshelves.
The temperature inside the locked study skyrocketed, making it incredibly difficult to breathe or see clearly.
Greg tried to use the fiery distraction to break free from my grip, but I was not going to let him escape.
I struck him violently across the temple with the heavy hilt of his own dropped pistol.
Greg's eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed completely unconscious onto the ruined carpet.
Amanda coughed heavily through the smoke, trying to find her way toward the locked doors to escape the inferno she created.
I grabbed Elena's dropped firearm from the floor, scooped Sophie into my arms, and helped the wounded agent to her feet.
I aimed the powerful weapon directly at the heavy brass lock mechanism of the wooden double doors.
I fired three rapid shots, completely shattering the lock and blasting the doors off their heavy hinges.
We burst out into the main hallway just as the study ceiling began to collapse behind us in a shower of sparks.
The fire alarms were finally shrieking throughout the entire historic manor, creating absolute, terrifying chaos.
Hundreds of screaming wedding guests were stampeding desperately toward the main exits to escape the growing fire.
I shielded Sophie with my body, pushing through the panicked crowd while supporting the bleeding federal agent.
We finally reached the grand foyer, bursting through the front doors and collapsing onto the cool, damp grass of the lawn.
Dozens of police cruisers and heavy fire trucks were already swarming the property, their sirens wailing loudly in the night.
Heavily armed tactical officers rushed past us, storming the burning building to secure the dangerous criminals inside.
I watched as two officers aggressively tackled Amanda into the dirt before she could reach the parking lot.
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Mister Vance was dragged out of the bushes in heavy steel handcuffs, weeping pathetically as his corrupt empire crumbled.
I held my daughter tightly, finally allowing myself to believe that the nightmare was truly over.
