Chapter 6 - Dawn on the TarmacThe private airstrip was a windswept expanse of white concrete and freezing slush. Victor Vance’s black stretch limousine sat idling fifty yards from the steps of a twin-engine Gulfstream private jet, its turbines already screaming in preparation for takeoff.
Dominic’s armored SUV didn't slow down as it approached the perimeter fence. It crashed straight through the chain-link barrier with a deafening screech of tearing metal, sending snow and wire flying in all directions.
The SUV fishtailed violently before slamming to a halt directly blocking the path between the limousine and the aircraft steps.
Before the limousine doors could open, Dominic kicked his door wide, drawing his weapon, while Hannah scrambled out the passenger side, clutching her phone like a shield.
The rear door of the limousine pushed open, and Victor Vance stepped out into the freezing wind, looking immaculate in his gray suit, holding the leather-bound ledger in one hand. Two armed bodyguards flanked him instantly, raising their rifles.
“Dominic!” Vance called out over the roar of the jet engines, his voice smooth and unbothered. “I must admit, I didn't expect you to chase me all the way out here into the snow. But it’s pointless. The Moretti empire belongs to the Commission now.”
“Drop the book, Victor,” Dominic ordered, his voice cutting through the wind with absolute, chilling finality. His gun was locked dead on Vance’s chest.
Vance laughed, shaking the leather ledger in the air. “You think a few bullets are going to stop what’s already in motion? This book contains every routing code, every offshore account—”
“Try opening it, Victor,” Hannah interrupted, stepping out from behind the armored door of the SUV.
Vance blinked, noticing her for the first time. “And who is this? Another domestic casualty you plan on mourning?”
“Check your tablet,” Hannah said, tapping her phone screen.
Vance frowned, gesturing to one of his bodyguards to hand him a secure satellite communicator from the limousine console. He tapped the screen to access the remote node sync.
Instead of data, a flashing red warning banner filled the display: SECURITY LOCKOUT: CORE ALGORITHM CORRUPTED. SELF-DESTRUCT PROTOCOL INITIATED.
Vance’s smug expression vanished in an instant. He opened the leather ledger in his hands—and watched in horror as the chemical ink printed on the pages rapidly faded into blank, white paper before his eyes.
“What did you do?” Vance roared, dropping the useless book into the snow.
“I locked you out of an empire you never earned,” Hannah replied steadily.
Before Vance could signal his bodyguards to fire, red and blue lights suddenly flashed from the access road behind them. Half a dozen federal black-and-whites and unmarked vehicles swarmed the tarmac, sirens wailing, doors flying open as federal agents rushed the area with weapons drawn.
“Victor Vance! Federal Marshals! Drop your weapons!” the amplified voice boomed across the airstrip.
Vance’s bodyguards looked at each other, dropped their rifles, and raised their hands. Vance stood frozen, staring at the empty book in the snow as federal agents swarmed around him, slapping heavy steel cuffs onto his wrists.
The nightmare that had haunted Hannah for five long years dissolved right there on the freezing tarmac, swept away by the wind and the cold light of dawn.
Dominic lowered his weapon, exhaling a long, slow breath. He turned to look at Hannah, the tension finally leaving his shoulders.
“Well,” Dominic said softly, a genuine, rare smile touching his lips. “I suppose this means you won't be finishing your shift as my maid today.”
Hannah looked down at her torn uniform, then back up at him. The bandages on her arms felt lighter now. The debt she had carried was gone.
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“I think,” Hannah said, a quiet warmth entering her eyes, “you owe me a very large severance package, Mr. Moretti. And perhaps... a proper dinner where nobody throws a riding strap at me.”
Dominic stepped closer, taking her uninjured hand in his, ignoring the flashing police lights and the bitter cold. “Deal. Starting tonight.”
