Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 40

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Richard folded his hands, expression smug. “Someone’s clearly out to ruin the Morgans. Every bank knows. But Newman? We… don’t always follow orders. If I approve the loan, the risk is all on me. Unless, of course… you were willing to make it worth my while.”

Alice’s jaw locked. “What the hell is this?”

“A very simple transaction,” he said, leaning forward. “You put that on, and we talk. I’ll even let you choose the couch or my desk.”

She recoiled a step, fury igniting in her eyes. “You’ve lost your mind.”

“I’m giving you a way out,” he said, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Do this, and your company lives. Don’t, and you’re bankrupt by the end of the quarter.”

Alice took a deep breath, fighting the rising urge to scream. Her hand tightened around her phone behind her back.

Richard’s grin faltered when she suddenly raised her voice. “You said you always admired me, right? Shame. Because I always knew you were a sleazy bastard.” 1

His face darkened. “Watch your mouth, girl.”

Alice spun toward the door, fury blazing in her eyes, her chest heaving as she pushed back the tremble in her limbs. “You disgust me,” she spat, voice trembling with rage.

She still turned to go, reaching for the doorknob-but Richard’s chair screeched back.

He lunged at her, grabbing her arm roughly. “No other bank will touch your name,” he hissed, yanking her back with shocking force. “You walk out that door, and your company dies.”

“I’d rather go down with my dignity than crawl for a man like you!” she snapped, struggling to break free.

But he wasn’t done. His grip tightened, and his other hand clawed around her waist, dragging her toward him with a sickening leer. “You’re not going anywhere,” he growled. “Scream all you want, sweetheart- this office is soundproof. I made sure of it.”

Alice screamed anyway, fighting wildly. “Let me go! Help! Somebody-!”

He only laughed-loud, perverted, and vile-as he shoved her toward the desk, his breath hot against her skin. “Welcome to the real world, sweetheart.”

What Richard didn’t know-what he never could’ve predicted-was that Ethan had been standing just outside the door. Listening. Hearing everything.

And Ethan wasn’t an ordinary man.

He was a storm waiting for a reason.

A violent crack split the tension-Ethan’s boot crashing into the door, blowing it off its hinges with a

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deafening slam.

The door burst open.

“Get your filthy hands off her,” Ethan barked, voice cold as death.

Richard recoiled like a rat caught in the light. “What the hell-”

“You just made the biggest mistake of your life,” Ethan growled, stalking forward, eyes blazing with fury.

Panic flared in Richard’s eyes-but it didn’t last long. His expression switched from shock to calculation in a heartbeat. “Security!” he shouted, voice booming. “These two! They’re trying to rob the bank! They

broke in!”

Alice’s tear-streaked face turned toward the guards who burst in seconds later. “No! No, he tried to assault me! He was trying to force me!”

But Richard, now icy and composed, raised a hand like he was in control. “Take them both. Especially her. Interrogation room. I’ll handle her myself.”

Alice’s blood ran cold.

“No! No-don’t touch me!” she cried, thrashing as one guard grabbed her by the arms, another slapping a hand over her mouth. Her muffled scream rang through the chaos. “This can’t be happening!”

Richard smirked as he stepped forward. “You wanted a loan, Miss Morgan?” he sneered. “Here’s your

interest rate.”

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

The guards flanking him barely moved before he did.

With deadly precision, he seized the first guard’s wrist and twisted-crack-until bone gave way. A scream followed. His elbow then slammed into the second man’s sternum, launching him into the wall.

like a sack of bricks. (1)

The room froze, stunned into silence by the sheer force of it.

“What the-what the hell is he?” one guard muttered, backing away, eyes wide.

“Guns! Draw your weapons! Now!” Richard screamed.

But it was too late.

The two remaining guards reached for their sidearms-but Ethan was already between them, swift and unstoppable.

He kneed one in the jaw, sending the man collapsing in a heap. The second’s weapon never even left its holster-Ethan disarmed him in a flash and hurled him across the room like a ragdoll.

Only Richard remained, trembling behind his desk, as Ethan turned to face him-silent. Deadly.

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