When ten men in dark suits surrounded a grieving woman at a snowy cemetery, their leader revealed a golden coin that changed everything she knew about her quiet father.

The red emergency lights reflected ominously off the steel walls of Vault 4-B.

Dominic stood tall in the center of the vault entrance, his body entirely blocking Victor's line of sight to Norah and Evelyn. His right hand held his sidearm at his waist, his thumb resting lightly on the safety lock.

"You won't press that switch, Victor," Dominic said calmly, his deep voice showing no trace of hesitation. "If you collapse this floor, the mainframe server is destroyed instantly. The Ledger dies, and you lose your only leverage against the federal prosecutors waiting for you outside."

Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly, his grip tightening around the plastic detonator. "I have enough offshore accounts to live like a king in South America for three lifetimes! I don't need the Ledger! I just need to make sure no one else has it!"

Behind Dominic, the digital progress bar on the mainframe monitor reached 89%... 90%...

Evelyn worked silently in the red shadows, keeping her body still so as not to draw attention to the flashing green status lights.

Norah stepped out from behind the pedestal, standing right beside Dominic.

"Look at me, Victor," Norah said, her voice loud, clear, and unyielding.

Victor looked past Dominic’s shoulder, his gaze falling onto Norah. For a moment, his arrogant smile wavered as he saw the unmistakable resemblance to Arthur Hayes in her steady blue eyes.

"Arthur’s daughter," Victor sneered. "You have your father’s foolish pride."

"My father was ten times the man you will ever be," Norah spat back. "You built an empire out of fear and murder, but you're nothing more than a coward hiding behind hired guns and high walls."

"Careful, girl," Victor growled, taking a step closer. "Your father begged for his life before he died."

"Liar!" Norah shouted, taking a step forward. "My father died with his head held high because he knew that one day, your sins would catch up to you!"

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A soft, electronic chime rang out from the server terminal.

Victor heard the sound and instantly realized what had happened. His face twisted into a mask of pure rage. "Kill them all!" he screamed, raising the detonator switch.

"Now!" Dominic roared.

Before Victor could depress the button, Dominic fired two lightning-fast shots through the narrow gap between the door frame.

BANG! BANG!

The first bullet struck Victor’s right wrist, shattering his grip and sending the detonator flying across the concrete floor. The second bullet struck the lead mercenary’s tactical vest, knocking him backward into his teammates.

"Cover!" Dominic yelled, grabbing Norah by the waist and pulling her down behind the reinforced vault frame as the hallway erupted into a wall of shotgun fire.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Heavy lead shot peppered the outer steel door, sending sparks and ricochets flying into the air.

Marcus and the remaining guards returned fire from down the corridor, catching Victor’s mercenaries in a deadly crossfire.

Dominic reached out, grabbed the completed transfer drive from Evelyn’s hand, and stuffed it into Norah’s coat pocket.

"Evelyn, take the emergency service ladder behind the server cabinet!" Dominic commanded, pointing to a small maintenance hatch in the back wall. "It leads to the subway tunnels on 3rd Street! Get Norah out of here!"

"What about you?!" Norah shouted over the deafening noise of gunfire.

Dominic looked into her eyes, grabbing her hand tightly. "I told you at the cemetery, Norah—my job is to protect you. Now go!"

"I'm not leaving without you, Dominic!" Norah yelled back, her fingers locking tightly around his gloved hand. "You gave me your marker! That means we stay together!"