Chapter 11 - THE AFTERMATH OF VIOLENCE
Silence descended upon the warehouse once more,
broken only by the rhythmic crashing of the harbor waves outside.
Nathaniel sprinted up the metal stairs,
rushing past his men to reach Emma.
“Are you out of your mind?” Nathaniel shouted,
grabbing her shoulders with a mixture of fury and overwhelming relief.
“What were you thinking attacking an armed man with a flashlight?”
“I was thinking you needed a distraction,
” Emma shot back,
her chest heaving as adrenaline coursed through her veins.
“And it worked,
didn't it?”
Nathaniel stared at her,
his stern mask entirely shattered,
revealing the deep,
raw panic that had gripped his soul.
“If he had hurt you…” Nathaniel whispered,
his voice cracking slightly before he pulled her tightly into his arms.
Emma froze for a fraction of a second before wrapping her arms around his broad back,
burying her face against his warm chest.
Downstairs,
Marcus was dragged away in handcuffs by the tactical squad,
his whimpering echoing into the empty night.
Vance limped over,
clutching his bruised arm.
“Thank you,
Mr.
Caldwell,
” Vance panted,
casting a bewildered glance at Emma.
“And thank you,
ma’am.
.
.
you saved my life.
”
“Just making sure nobody ruins a birthday,
” Emma whispered softly,
stepping back from Nathaniel with a flushed face.
Nathaniel looked down at her,
a profound expression of reverence in his gray eyes.
“You are the most extraordinary woman I have ever met,
Emma Walker,
” Nathaniel said quietly.
“Let’s go home,
May you like
” Emma replied softly,
realizing for the first time that the massive fortress in Beacon Hill was starting to feel like a sanctuary.
