Chapter 9 - The Ashes of Vance TechAn explosion tore through the night sky, throwing a blinding fireball into the fog as the boat disintegrated against the bridge pylon.
Hadrian hit the freezing water hard, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. He sank deep into the dark ocean, the weight of his tactical gear and the briefcase dragging him down toward the abyss. His lungs burned for oxygen, his body screaming at him to give up.
“Daddy… Please get me out of here.”
Sorrel’s voice echoed in his mind, sharp and clear above the roaring pressure of the water.
Hadrian kicked desperately, clawing his way back toward the surface. He broke through the waves, gasping frantically for air, coughing up sea water as smoke and burning debris rained down around him.
He looked back at the wreckage. The speedboat was entirely consumed by flames, sinking rapidly into the black depths. Helena was gone.
Ten minutes later, the searchlight of a police rescue helicopter cut through the rain above him. A rescue swimmer descended on a winch, pulling Hadrian out of the ocean just as his strength finally failed.
When the chopper touched down on the pier, emergency medical technicians rushed forward, but Hadrian pushed them aside. He stumbled toward the armored transport where Sorrel was sitting wrapped in a warm shock blanket, flanked by heavy security guards.
When Sorrel saw him, she threw off the blanket and ran toward him as fast as her small legs could carry her.
"Daddy!"
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Hadrian fell to his knees on the wet tarmac, opening his arms wide. He caught her, pulling her close, burying his face in her hair as tears finally spilled from his eyes.
"It's over, baby," he sobbed, holding her so tightly he felt her little heart beating rapidly against his chest. "It's all over. They can't hurt you anymore."
