Chapter 9 - The Fall of Julian
The heavy warehouse doors were blown off their hinges by tactical breachers.
"FBI! Nobody move! Hands in the air!" dozen of armed federal agents poured into the building, their red laser sights painting the walls and the guards.
Wren immediately dropped the weapon, putting her hands up as she backed toward Leo and Clara.
Julian tried to scramble toward a side emergency exit, but two federal agents tackled him to the floor, pinning his arms behind his back and slamming steel handcuffs around his wrists.
"Julian Sterling," a senior special agent announced, stepping forward with a federal warrant. "You are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, and corporate embezzlement."
Julian thrashed against the restraints, his pristine grey suit ruined, his hair wild. "This is a setup! That girl is a terrorist! She kidnapped my nephew!"
"Save it for the judge, Sterling," the agent said coldly. "We've already raided your private clinic. We found the toxins, the offshore transfer logs, and your signed instructions to dispose of your sister-in-law."
Julian looked over his shoulder at Leo, who was standing beside his mother, wrapping his arms tightly around her shoulders as she wept tears of overwhelming joy.
Leo looked back at his uncle, his expression devoid of fear, pity, or weakness.
"You lost, Julian," Leo said quietly.
As the agents dragged Julian away screaming, Doc rushed into the warehouse alongside a team of paramedics.
"Leo! Wren!" Doc yelled, running over to check on them. "Are you alright?!"
"We're alive, Doc," Wren smiled, though her body finally gave out from sheer exhaustion. She slid down against the side of a crate, her eyes heavy.
Leo dropped to his knees beside her, taking her small, calloused hand in his.
"You made me walk," Leo whispered, tears streaming down his face. "You kept your promise."
May you like
Wren offered a tired, genuine smile—the first real smile Leo had ever seen on her face. "I told you. I don't break promises."
Paramedics swarmed around them, wrapping Clara, Leo, and Wren in thick thermal blankets, leading them out of the dark warehouse into the bright, flashing lights of the morning dawn.
