Chapter 16 - THE LAST ORDER OF SENATOR MERCER
Richard aimed the weapon at Thomas.
His security chief stood behind him with blood on his shirt.
Daniel moved in front of Serena.
“You’re surrounded.”
Richard smiled.
“I have survived investigations, elections, and men more powerful than anyone in this room.”
Thomas climbed the final stair.
“You survived because other people paid for your crimes.”
“You should have stayed dead.”
“You should have learned from your brother.”
Richard’s smile disappeared.
“My brother died because of you.”
“Your brother died because he murdered innocent people.”
Richard pulled back the hammer of the gun.
Olivia stepped between them.
“Dad, stop.”
He looked at her with disgust.
“Move.”
“You lied to me.”
“I gave your life meaning.”
“You made me hate the man who saved me.”
“I made you strong.”
“You made me cruel.”
Richard tightened his grip.
“You were always weak.”
Olivia flinched.
Daniel saw the words wound her more deeply than any physical blow.
She had spent her life trying to earn the approval of a man who viewed her as a tool.
Richard looked toward the memory card in Daniel’s hand.
“Give me that.”
“No.”
“I’ll kill Thomas first.”
Thomas did not move.
Daniel placed the card on the floor.
“Let the others leave.”
Richard laughed.
“You are still trying to bargain.”
The security chief stepped into the attic and reached for the card.
Serena suddenly kicked the storage box beside her.
It crashed into the man’s legs.
He fell.
Daniel tackled Richard.
The gun fired.
The bullet struck the wooden beam above Olivia.
Thomas swung his cane into the security chief’s wrist.
Noah rushed through the doorway and disarmed him.
Daniel and Richard crashed against the floor.
The senator struck Daniel across the face with the gun.
Olivia grabbed Richard’s arm.
He shoved her backward.
She fell through the attic railing.
Daniel caught her wrist.
Her body swung above the staircase.
Richard crawled toward the fallen weapon.
Daniel had one hand around Olivia and one against the broken railing.
“Let me go,” she gasped.
Daniel looked down at her.
Despite everything she had done, he could not release her.
Thomas reached for Daniel’s shoulder.
Together, they pulled Olivia onto the landing.
Richard seized the gun.
A shot exploded.
Olivia jerked against Daniel.
Blood spread across the front of her silver gown.
She had stepped in front of him.
Richard stared at his daughter.
For the first time, he looked shocked.
May you like
Olivia touched the wound beneath her ribs.
Then she collapsed into Daniel’s arms.
