He triggered the building’s suppression alarm.
Steel security barriers dropped between sections of the loading area.
Two of Thomas’s men were trapped behind one barrier.
The others scattered.
Alexander and Thomas struggled near the vehicle.
Thomas reached for a concealed kn/i/fe.
Carmen shouted.
Alexander twisted his wrist.
The kn/i/fe clattered away.
Thomas struck him.
Alexander fell against the SUV.
Sofia screamed, “Dad!”
Javier moved.
Not away.
Toward Alexander.
He tackled Thomas before Thomas could reach the kn/i/fe again.
Thomas slammed Javier to the ground.
“You pathetic boy.”
Javier looked up at him.
“You were right about one thing.”
Thomas sneered.
“What?”
“I spent my whole life being afraid of you.”
Javier pushed him away.
“I’m done.”
Federal officers finally breached the loading level.
Marcus’s lawyer had triggered an emergency alert before the signal disappeared.
Thomas looked around.
Every exit was blocked.
