Chapter 8 - Justice Denied No Longer
Knox secured Vance and Eleanor in heavy restraints while I rushed over to Lily.
With trembling hands, I drew my tactical knife and carefully sliced through the zip-ties binding her wrists and ankles. I pulled off her gag and wrapped her in my arms, pulling her tight against my chest armor.
"I've got you, baby," I whispered, tears finally breaking through my hardened exterior. "I've got you. You're safe."
"I knew you were coming, Dad," she sobbed, clinging to my tactical vest. "I looked at the camera... I knew you'd see me."
Evelyn was cowering in the corner, sobbing hysterically. "David, please... I'm her mother! You can't leave me here! Vance’s men will kill us!"
I stood up, holding Lily securely in one arm, and looked down at my wife with pure, unadulterated contempt.
"You stopped being her mother the second you raised that phone to film her suffering," I said coldly.
May you like
Outside, federal sirens began to wail in the distance. Miller had alerted the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and federal prosecutors, delivering a complete digital package of their crimes, offshore accounts, and human trafficking conspiracy.
Federal agents swarmed the yard minutes later, taking Eleanor, Evelyn, her three sisters, and Vance’s remaining mercenaries into custody. As Evelyn was dragged away in handcuffs, weeping and begging for forgiveness, I turned my back on her forever.
