Gunshots cracked through marble like thunder. Addison slammed against cold stone as Jaxon’s body covered hers, his weight crushing her into the floor. She didn’t even mention when he materialized beside her.

“Stay down!” he barked, his executive calm shattered into raw protective instinct.

Her hands flew to her stomach. Eight weeks. Her baby needed her to survive whatever was happening.

Whatever comes next, she has to protect the child.

More shots echoed from below. People were screaming, crying, begging. The sound of breaking glass and heavy footsteps filled the air as the robbers stormed through the bank.

“Anyone who tries to escape will be shot!” a voice called out, cold and commanding.

Heavy boots thundered across marble as masked figures flooded the banking floor. Addison pressed deeper against the ground, Jaxon’s rapid heartbeat hammering against her back.

“Radio’s dead,” Marcus whispered from his security station, fumbling for his radio “They killed our communications.”

The masked figure with a painted grin on his mask strode across the marble lobby, his boots echoing against the polished floor. He grabbed the trembling secretary, Samantha, by her jacket and hurled her against the wall with brutal efficiency.

“Please don’t hurt me!” she screamed, her body crumpling to the floor like discarded paper.

Man vaulted onto the reception desk with predatory grace, snatching the microphone from its cradle. His voice crackled through the building’s speaker system, sharp and commanding.

“Congratulations, you’ve been picked for a heist!” he announced with theatrical flair. “My name is Viper, and I’m gonna be the one handling crowd control, ladies and gentlemen.”

He gestured to his team with mock politeness, like he was hosting a dinner party instead of a bank robbery.

“Allow me to introduce my associates. The lovely lady with the laptop is Firebird,” he said, pointing to a woman in a mask decorated with a red rose. “She’s blocked all your communications, cameras and electrical codes. Very talented girl.”

Firebird didn’t look up from her computer, fingers flying across the keyboard.

“That gentleman, the mountain of muscle with the machine gun, is Brick,” Viper announced, indicating the massive figure whose mask bore a single black tear.

Brick’s weapon swept across the cowering crowd, and people pressed themselves against the walls like frightened animals.

“He’s ensuring all our valued guests remain comfortable and stationary. Very considerate of him, don’t you think?”

A woman in the corner sobbed openly, her purse clutched against her chest.

“And now,” Viper’s voice dropped to a theatrical whisper that somehow carried through every speaker in the building, “allow me to present our esteemed leader.”

The figure in black stepped forward, his white mask bearing a jagged scar painted in stark detail. Even without speaking, his presence commanded the room—a dark gravity that pulled every terrified gaze.

“This is Ghost,” Viper announced with genuine reverence bleeding through his theatrical tone. “And if you have any complaints about our service, I suggest you take them up with him directly.”

Ghost moved to the center of the lobby with silent, lethal purpose. His masked face swept across the frozen tableau of terrified bank employees and customers, cataloging every face, every potential threat.

Marcus had been crawling toward the exit, but Viper dropped from the desk and intercepted him with brutal efficiency, his boot connecting with the man’s ribs.

“Now, now,” Viper said, hauling Marcus up by his collar. “The show’s just getting started. You wouldn’t want to miss the finale, would you?”

“Please stop!” the man begged. “I have children!”

“Should have thought of that before you tried to leave our party,” Viper said, his mask’s permanent grin a horrifying contrast to his violent actions.

“Don’t touch me, freaks!” Addison screamed, trying to pull away from the robber’s grip.

Jaxson tried to resist, his eyes blazing with rage.

“Get your hands off her!” he shouted. “Don’t you dare hurt her!”

One of the robbers punched him hard in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain.

“Down, hero,” Brick said coldly, already tying Jaxson’s hands with a tight rope.

In half an hour through the windows, they could see police cars surrounding the building. Red and blue lights flashed continuously, and officers with bullhorns tried to establish communication.

“This is the NYPD! We want to talk!” voices called from outside.

But Ghost ignored them completely, focused on whatever plan he had for the people inside. He climbed onto the reception counter, holding the microphone in his hands. His voice filled the space.

“We have not come here simply to steal your money,” he announced to the terrified crowd. “We have come to bring justice.”

He paused for dramatic effect, his masked face surveying the hostages.

“This bank is guilty of fraud, financial crimes, and murderers,” Ghost continued, his voice growing harder. “The killer is here with us now and will answer for his actions.”

Viper grabbed the bound Jaxon and dragged him roughly into the middle of the lobby, throwing him down in front of everyone.

“Meet the killer,” Ghost said, pointing directly at Jaxon.