Chapter 12 - The Longest NightGunfire echoed through the basement.
Natasha dropped to the floor and pulled the twins beneath the metal records table.
Simon moved somewhere in the darkness.
Claire shouted instructions.
The babies began crying.
Natasha covered their ears and started the rhythm against the floor.
Three beats.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
Bullets struck the lockers above her.
The rhythm kept her breathing steady.
A shadow moved near the table.
Natasha held her breath.
A hand reached down.
She grabbed the wrist and bit hard.
The attacker cursed.
Natasha kicked him in the knee.
He fell.
She crawled toward the emergency lights.
A red glow appeared.
Simon stood in the center of the room, one arm bleeding, his gun aimed at Vincent.
Vincent held Claire by the throat.
“Drop the weapon,” Vincent ordered.
Simon did not move.
Vincent pressed a blade beneath Claire’s jaw.
“Your uncle is going to kill her,” Claire gasped.
“He won’t,” Simon said.
Vincent smiled.
“You still believe people can be trusted.”
Natasha noticed something behind Vincent.
A fire alarm pull station.
If she triggered it, the emergency doors would open and the sprinklers would activate. The noise might disorient Vincent long enough for Claire to escape.
But she would have to cross the open room.
She waited for Simon to glance toward her.
He did.
One second.
That was enough.
Natasha sprinted.
Vincent saw her.
He shoved Claire aside and fired.
Simon moved between them.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
Natasha reached the alarm and pulled it.
Sirens screamed.
Water burst from the ceiling.
Vincent slipped on the flooded floor.
Claire tackled him.
The federal agent handcuffed Vincent while Simon fell against the lockers.
Natasha ran to him.
“You’ve been shot.”
“Shoulder.”
“Sit down.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are bleeding through your shirt.”
He sat.
She tore a strip from the bottom of her blouse and pressed it against the wound.
His face tightened.
“That’s going to leave a mark.”
“You’re lucky I’m not charging you.”
“For the shirt?”
“For the rescue.”
He looked at her.
Rainwater and blood ran down his face.
“You ran toward a gun.”
“You ran toward me first.”
“I’m supposed to protect you.”
“I’m not asking you to protect me. I’m asking you to stop making decisions alone.”
His expression softened.
The babies cried louder.
Natasha turned toward them.
Simon caught her hand.
“Wait.”
“What?”
His voice became quiet.
“If I don’t make it—”
“You will.”
“If I don’t—”
“You will.”
“Natasha.”
She looked at him.
“I need you to know that the contract is canceled.”
“What?”
“You’re free. You can leave.”
She stared.
“Now?”
“When this is over.”
“You think I’m going to walk away while the twins are still in danger?”
“I think you deserve a life that isn’t connected to mine.”
“Maybe I’ll decide that.”
His eyes held hers.
For a moment, the chaos faded.
Then Dr. Allen’s voice came through the emergency radio.
“The twins are experiencing tremors.”
Natasha turned.
The babies were shaking.
She crawled beneath the table and lifted them both.
Simon, still bleeding, knelt beside her.
They began the rhythm together.
Three beats.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
The babies’ breathing slowed.
The federal agent approached.
“Vincent is in custody.”
Simon looked at him.
“Will he be convicted?”
“If the evidence survives.”
Claire joined them.
“It will.”
Natasha looked at Vincent.
He stood surrounded by agents, his expensive suit soaked and his face empty.
As he was led away, he stopped beside Simon.
“You think this ends with me?”
Simon said nothing.
Vincent leaned close.
“The family has already chosen a successor.”
May you like
Then he looked at Natasha.
“And he hates you more than I ever did.”
