Page 64 of Saving Her Heart
"We need every unit at Building 2 now," Captain Ramirez barks into his radio.
"The device was disarmed," Captain Morgan says. "But he could have a backup."
"Or he's bluffing," Declan suggests.
"Can we risk that?" I ask. "With kids there?"
"Get everyone out," Jax orders. "Every building within a three-block radius."
We race back to the property. The next twenty minutes are controlled chaos—police, fire, everyone mobilizing to evacuate. Parents grabbing children from the community center, and residents fleeing their homes. And through it all, I keep thinking about William on his yacht, watching his sick game play out.
"Building 2 is clear," Declan reports. "The bomb squad is doing another sweep."
My phone buzzes. Another text from William.
Unknown: Five minutes. I'm watching the news. I don't see you at a podium.
"He's not at the marina," I realize. "He's somewhere he can see the buildings. Somewhere with a news feed."
"His office," Jax says, looking around. "Top floor of the Thornfield Building. View of half the town."
"SWAT's still at the country club?—"
Captain Ramirez nods. "Declan, you're with them. I'll redirect SWAT."
The Thornfield Building is a glass and steel monument to ego, with William's name in gold letters across the front. The security desk is empty; the elevators are still running.
"Fourteenth floor," I say, remembering from a tour years ago. "Penthouse office."
The elevator ride feels endless. When the doors open, the hallway is dark except for light spilling from the corner office.
"I wondered when you'd figure it out," William's voice carries down the hall. "Come in. Let's end this civilized."
"Stay behind me," Jax whispers, and I nod. I have no intention of getting in the way now.
Jax goes first, weapon drawn. The office is massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows showing the entire town. Building 2 is clearly visible, as is the smoke still rising from Building 3.
William sits behind his desk, looking like he's in a board meeting rather than a standoff. There's a device in front of him—a tablet with what looks like a timer display.
"Insurance," he says, noting my stare. "Dead man's switch. If I press this button, Building 2 goes up. Then Building 1. Then the memory facility."
"You're finished," Jax says, weapon trained on him. "There's nowhere to run."
"I'm not running. I'm negotiating." He looks at me.
"You destroyed Building 3. You tried to kill me."
"Business, not personal. Well, mostly not personal." He smiles coldly. "You were too good at your job. The buildings stayed valuable and occupied. I needed them empty, worthless. Then I could buy them for pennies, develop the land, make billions. But no—you had to be competent."
"So you recruited Morrison and your wife?"
"Morrison was easy. Ambitious, greedy, stupid. Valerie..." He shrugs. "She wanted out of our marriage. I gave her a reason to have an affair, then used it against her."
"You're a monster," I say.
"I'm a businessman. And I'm offering you a deal. Walk away, and everyone lives."
"Counter-offer," Captain Ramirez says from the doorway, SWAT team behind him. "You surrender, and you live."
