Page 73 of King's Reckoning
"Let them study," Reed replied. His voice held quiet confidence as Rowan continued systematically invalidating their attempts at document forgery. "All they'll learn is that Elena's legal strategy works exactly as designed. That any attempt to salvage their operation is doomed to fail."
Fresh demolition charges detonated below, eliminating the facility's final sections. Rowan watched through thermal imaging as alliance members conducted final sweeps, ensuring no trace of forgery equipment remained.
"Next site's coordinates locked in," Cole reported. "Teams are already moving to begin surveillance. We can hit it as soon as..."
He trailed off as Barbara's screens lit up with urgent alerts. "Multiple vehicles approaching from the north," she announced. "Professional operators, heavy weapons. Not law enforcement or emergency response."
"Blackwood's people?" Rowan asked, already moving to a better tactical position. The thermal imaging showed at least six vehicles moving with military precision toward their location.
"Negative," Reed replied, studying sensor data. "Different protocols, different equipment loadout. These are new players entirely."
King's voice held grim satisfaction. "Good. Time to show anyone else interested in forging land claims exactly what happens when they try to preserve Blackwood's research."
"Teams in final positions," Reed reported as headlights appeared through the fog. "Waiting on your call."
Rowan studied the approaching vehicles, feeling a surge of determination. Elena had prepared her for exactly this purpose—to ensuredangerous corporate overreach stayed buried in ash and broken dreams.
But watching Iron Fists and King's Chosen coordinate their defense, she realized her mother's planning had produced an unexpected result. The same legal documentation designed to invalidate corporate land grabs had somehow built the strongest alliance these chapters had ever known.
"Light them up," she ordered, smiling as targeting lasers painted the incoming trucks red. Behind her, Barbara's screens showed corporate encryption failing across three states as her authenticated documentation invalidated yet another desperate attempt to preserve Blackwood's forgery research.
The night erupted in precision chaos. Just another industrial accident that would make tomorrow's local news.
Just another step toward making sure the corporate thieves stayed in the rubble where they belonged.
And just one week until her wedding day with Reed—the true foundation they were building together.
The wedding dress hung like a ghost in the corner of Rowan's office, its delicate fabric a stark contrast to the tactical gear and weapons scattered across her desk. Three computer screens showed demolition operations in progress while Barbara's latest legal analysis scrolled endlessly beside seating arrangements and floral designs. The juxtaposition would have made Elena laugh—her determined daughter planning both systematic destruction of corporate forgeries and celebration with equal precision.
"Four more facilities tagged for tonight," Reed said from the doorway, his presence causing the familiar flutter in her chest despite the intensity of everything they'd been through together. His eyes lingered on the dress before meeting hers, heat and admiration mixing in his gaze. "Unless you'd rather postpone again? Give us time to finish eliminating Blackwood's forgery operation first?"
Rowan shook her head, studying fresh satellite imagery of their targets while trying to ignore how good he looked leaning against her doorframe. Marriage shouldn't make her heart race after all they'd been through together, but somethingabout Reed Morrison still managed to knock her off balance.
"No more delays," she said firmly, forcing her focus back to the tactical displays. "We've pushed the date back twice already because of operations. Besides..." She glanced at the dress again, allowing herself a small smile. "The alliance needs this. Needs to prove we can do more than just destroy corporate forgery operations."
As if to emphasize her point, she received a notification that another legal challenge had succeeded against Blackwood's documentation somewhere in Nevada. Three weeks of systematic demolition had strengthened her confidence in Elena's legal strategies, turning carefully documented evidence into precision instruments against corporate theft.
"Speaking of destroying things," Barbara interrupted through their comms, her voice carrying the excited edge that meant she'd found something significant. "You'll want to see this data from the Seattle facility takedown. Something interesting in the legal precedent readings."
The professor's screens appeared on Rowan's main display, showing complex interconnections from their latest operation. "The title protection isn't just invalidating their systems anymore. It's actively challenging basic corporate protocols. Making it impossible to even establish rudimentary forgery operations."
She highlighted specific data streams that made Rowan lean forward. "Look at these connection patterns. Your mother's documentation isn't just responding to forgery attempts. It's anticipating them. Shutting down potential legal loopholes before they can be exploited."
"Elena's ultimate failsafe," Reed said quietly, moving to study the data over Rowan's shoulder. His proximity sent electricity dancing along her nerves, a reaction no amount of legal training could suppress. "Not just destroying their forgery operation, but making sure it can never be rebuilt."
"Better than that," Barbara replied, excitement clear in her voice. "The documentation shield appears to be evolving. Adapting to counter their attempts at salvaging forged data. These legal challenges are more sophisticated than anything in Elena's original documentation."
"Your mother's evidence is exceeding all projected results," Barbara continued, pulling up comparison data. "These legal adaptations... Elena designed the basic framework, but the courts are taking it far beyond her original specifications."
Rowan felt Reed's hand settle on her shoulder, grounding her as she processed the new information. His touch helped steady the mix of pride and unease that always came with discussing her mother's legal legacy.
"Speaking of specifications," Tiffany's voice cut in. "The chapel's security upgrades arecomplete. Surveillance systems are integrated with the decorative elements just like you wanted."
She appeared in the doorway brandishing tablet displays of the modified wedding plans. "Though I still say hiding security cameras in flower arrangements is a bit paranoid, even for an MC wedding."
"Better paranoid than sorry," King added, joining them with fresh intelligence reports. "Blackwood's employers aren't the only ones interested in Rowan's documentation. That dress might as well have a target painted on it."
"Which is exactly why we're doing this," Rowan replied, standing to face him. "Showing everyone that the alliance is more than just tactical operations and demolished facilities. That we can build something permanent."
