Jaxon and Ghost faced each other across marble like gladiators entering the arena. The lobby fell silent except for shallow breathing from thirty terrified hostages pressed against walls.

“So here we are,” Jaxon said. “The mysterious Ghost finally wants to talk.”

“We’ve been talking for hours,” Ghost replied, his mask muffling words but not intensity. “You weren’t listening.”

Addison watched two forces collide—the man who’d built her security and the man who’d stolen her heart. Both claiming to love her, both willing to destroy everything for their version of justice.

Ghost’s masked face turned slightly toward her, that predatory focus making her skin burn with recognition she couldn’t voice. Even now, negotiating with Jaxon, part of his attention remained locked on her like a magnetic pull.

“Look around you,” Jaxon commanded, gesturing toward cowering civilians. “These people are innocent.”

“Innocent?” Ghost’s voice carried arctic skepticism.

“Mrs. Patterson,” Jaxon pointed to the elderly woman clutching her purse, “retired teacher. Comes here every Friday to deposit her pension. Three grandchildren.”

He moved through the crowd with executive confidence, cataloging lives like evidence in corporate presentation.

“Marcus has three kids, eight years on the job, saving for his daughter’s college fund.” Jaxon’s voice gained conviction with each word. “What does he know about financial conspiracies?”

“Nothing,” Ghost admitted with deadly calm.

“Then let them go.” Jaxon stepped closer, close enough that Ghost’s team shifted weapons position. “They can’t help you get what you came for.”

“These people become the jury,” Ghost explained.

Jaxon stepped protectively closer to Addison, his hand finding the small of her back with possessive warmth. “What are you talking about?”

“They’ll watch the guilty confess to murder. They’ll hear every detail of authorized executions.”

Addison watched both men with growing terror. Her hands pressed against her stomach where stress was poisoning the fragile life that depended on her survival. Eight weeks of pregnancy couldn’t survive much more chaos.

“These people have families,” Jaxon continued with relentless logic. “Children waiting for parents who don’t even know there’s been a robbery.”

Ghost’s mask tilted with calculation. “What do you propose?”

“Complete exchange,” Jaxon declared with stunning courage. “Their freedom for my cooperation. Full access to bank files, passwords, security codes. Every evidence trail you’re hunting.”

Firebird looked up from her position near the entrance, studying Jaxon with new interest. Even Brick’s rifle lowered slightly as the offer registered.

“You’d destroy yourself to save strangers?” Ghost asked with suspicion threading his voice.

“Yes.” No hesitation, no calculation. Pure conviction that made Addison’s chest tight with conflicted emotions.

Ghost’s attention shifted between Jaxon’s determined face and Addison’s terrified expression. The mask concealed his features, but she could feel the weight of impossible decisions crushing him.

“They don’t deserve to suffer for crimes committed before they ever walked in here,” Jaxon pressed his advantage with tactical precision. “You want justice? Take it from the guilty party.”

“And if I agree?” Ghost’s voice dropped to a whisper that carried absolute menace. “What guarantees do I have?”

“My word,” Jaxon replied with executive finality that commanded respect even from armed criminals.

“Ask your fiancé about military contracts,” Ghost replied with brutal precision. “Ask him about authorization signatures.”

Jaxon’s face went white as marble beneath their feet. “That’s classified information.”

“Not anymore,” Ghost said with deadly satisfaction as he signaled to Firebird, “Time for complete transparency,” and she began coordinating evacuation protocols, her voice cutting through marble air with tactical precision.

“Civilian extraction in ten minutes,” Firebird announced, checking her tactical radio. “Non-essential personnel prepare for immediate departure.”

Mrs. Patterson clutched her purse, tears streaming as she realized freedom was approaching. The elderly woman pressed against the wall with other civilians, waiting for the all-clear signal.

“Thank you,” she whispered to Jaxon, her voice breaking with relief. “Thank you for saving us.”

Other hostages murmured grateful prayers, their terror slowly giving way to desperate hope as Firebird’s team prepared secure exit routes.

“Sixty people are about to walk out of here alive because of you,” Ghost observed as evacuation preparations continued.

“And several will remain because of you,” Jaxon replied with quiet dignity.

Ghost’s laugh was the winter wind through empty graves. “They remain because they’re connected to crimes that demand accounting.”

Addison’s breathing became shallow as she watched civilians prepare for departure, knowing she would stay behind with Ghost’s team, essential bank personnel, and the core players whose fates were now inextricably linked. Nora stayed close to her side while Marcus, Sarah, and other key employees waited nervously for their roles in whatever came next. The space felt vast and intimate simultaneously—arena for psychological warfare that would determine everything.

“Time for truth,” Ghost announced, his scarred mask reflecting lights that seemed to dance like flames across painted features.

“After they’re safely away,” Ghost continued with quiet menace, “we’ll discuss military eliminations and everything your fiancée doesn’t know about the man she’s planning to marry.”