Chapter 17 - THE RESCUE IN THE DARK
Before Julian could pull the trigger, the heavy glass window behind him shattered into a thousand flying shards.
Ethan crashed through the window frame, tackling Julian to the floor with full force as the gun discharged into the ceiling.
The deafening gunshot echoed through the mansion as the two men wrestled violently on the rain-soaked floor.
"Clara! Take the ledger and run!" Ethan roared, holding Julian’s arm as the pistol skidded across the hardwood.
Clara didn't run; she grabbed a heavy bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln from a side table and rushed toward the fighting men.
She swung the bronze statue with all her strength, striking Julian squarely across his shoulder blade.
Julian yelled in pain, his grip loosening as Ethan delivered a powerful right hook to his jaw, knocking him unconscious.
Ethan scrambled to his feet, breathing heavily, rain and blood mixing on his face from small cuts caused by the flying glass.
He grabbed the gun from the floor, securing it in his pocket before turning to grab Clara by her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?! Did he touch you?!" Ethan asked frantically, his dark eyes wide with terrified concern for her safety.
Clara looked at him, seeing the blood dripping from his brow and the pure, selfless devotion shining in his eyes.
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"I'm fine, Ethan... you saved my life," Clara whispered, throwing her arms around his neck and holding him tightly against the storm.
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