Chapter 18
David looked older, his face scarred and hardened by years of living a criminal existence in the international underworld. "Hello, cousin Julian; it looks like you've been having a rather explosive week," David sneered, his eyes wild with manic energy.
"Drop the lighter, David, there's nowhere left for you to run; the federal perimeter is locked down," Julian warned calmly. David laughed hysterically, his hand hovering dangerously close to the open flame of the lighter.
"Run? I didn't come here to run, Julian; I came here to burn down the entire Vance legacy once and for all," David shouted. Margaret stood tied to a chair near the french doors, gagged and terrified, watching the confrontation unfold in absolute horror.
Julian took a slow step forward, keeping his hands visible and empty to avoid triggering a catastrophic explosion. "This is a family dispute, David; leave Margaret out of it and let her walk out of here right now," Julian pleaded.
"Family dispute? Your father disowned me, stripped my inheritance, and handed everything to you on a silver platter!" David screamed bitterly. "You earned your exile through theft and betrayal, David, and you know it," Julian countered steadily.
May you like
"Maybe so, but I'm taking you all down with me into the ash heap of history," David hissed, flicking his wrist downward. Julian didn't hesitate; he lunged forward with blinding speed, tackling David hard across the shattered coffee table just as the lighter dropped.
The gasoline ignited instantly along the rug edge, creating a wall of fire between them and the exit doors.
