Chapter 2 - The Iron Cage
Emergency red backup lights flickered along the ceiling of the sealed ballroom.
The mansion was now locked down under the estate's private anti-ballistic protocol.
"Nobody makes a phone call, and nobody leaves this room," Gregory announced with absolute authority.
Two dozen private security guards dressed in black tactical vests stepped out from the side corridors, their weapons drawn.
The guests huddled together in terrified silence, realizing they were now hostages to Gregory's ruthlessness.
Nathan held Maya close against his chest, feeling her rapid, shallow breathing.
"Her water broke, and she is hemorrhaging, Gregory!" Nathan yelled, his voice echoing off the reinforced steel walls.
"If you don't open these doors, you will murder your own grandchild!"
Gregory adjusted his silk necktie, looking down at them without a trace of human emotion.
"That child was never going to inherit my empire, Nathan," Gregory said coldly.
"You brought a common street girl into this dynasty, thinking you could outvote me on the board."
"Her bloodline ends tonight."
Maya whimpered in Nathan's arms, her skin turning as cold as ice.
"Nathan... our baby," Maya whispered, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise," Nathan whispered back, kissing her forehead.
From the edge of the staircase, young Toby slowly reached into his blazer pocket.
Toby hit the panic switch on his private satellite tracker, an emergency transponder linked directly to the Boston Federal Marshal's office.
Suddenly, Damian lunged across the floor, tackling Toby and smashing the boy's tracker beneath his heavy leather boot.
"Nice try, cousin," Damian hissed, grabbing Toby by his collar.
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Damian pulled a silver service revolver from his inner jacket, aiming the barrel directly at Nathan's head.
"Give me the phone with the video, Nathan, or I'll put a bullet through her stomach right now."
