Chapter 9 - The Fall
The deafening roar of the gunshot echoed violently through the narrow hallway.
Elias instinctively twisted his body, trying to shield Lily from the incoming bullet.
But before the bullet could reach them, a blur of blue fabric intercepted the path.
Arthur threw himself forward with his last ounce of strength, taking the hit directly in the shoulder.
The old man collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, gasping in pain.
"Arthur!" Elias roared, his protective instincts turning into absolute fury.
Marcus's eyes widened in panic as he realized he missed his primary target.
He tried to cock the rifle for a second shot, but Elias was already moving faster than humanly possible.
Elias crossed the distance in a single leap, driving his shoulder hard into Marcus's chest.
The impact sent Marcus flying backward, crashing through a luxury glass display case.
Diamonds and shattered glass rained down around them as Elias pinned Marcus to the floor.
Elias raised his fist, ready to deliver a crushing blow to end the threat once and for all.
"Police! Drop your weapons!" a booming voice echoed from the front of the store.
A heavily armed SWAT team swarmed into the building, their flashlights cutting through the remaining smoke.
Elias stopped his fist just inches from Marcus's terrified face, choosing justice over revenge.
He slowly stood up, raising his hands to show he was unarmed.
The officers quickly moved in, dragging a crying and defeated Marcus away in handcuffs.
Paramedics rushed into the room, immediately dropping to their knees to treat Arthur's gunshot wound.
Elias ran back to the vault, scooping Lily into his arms and holding her as tight as he could.
"You're safe now, my brave girl," Elias whispered, burying his face in her hair.
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The police captain walked over to Elias, holding a secure tablet in his hands.
"Mr. Thorne, we traced the mercenaries' funding, but you are not going to believe the name on the wire transfer," the captain said grimly.
