Chapter 38
Redemption.
The red lamy do vanished from my chest as Murus panked me out of harm’s way.
My beant paunded against my til as i stared
s message still glowing no my phone: “His life or yours. Come alone to where it
began. You have
The III team that had been monitoring my apartment sprang into action, securing windows and coordinating to track the sniper,
Make a frantir call to the feespital echoed i
“The wants me,” I said, my voire steadier than I felt.
hed jatalyzed me sements ago crystallized into something harder, sharper.
U clenched my fate until my nails bit into
‘m done being her prey. Done running”
“We can’t let you meet her, Marcus insisted, stepping inta
I sight, eyes blazing with protective fury. “This is a death trap and
trap and you know it.”
The 18 agent approached, hand reating on his holster, “My Winters, we need to move you to a safe house immediately. Your life is in imminent danger.”
My laugh was bellow, almost deal. To, I won’t hide in some hole while the ionizes everyone I care about.”
My gage swej anet each face in the room. “That’s exactly what she
cowering, isolated, waiting for the knife to fall.”
Dr Hanc a VIP lai rast elegant shadows autoas our empner talde,
After heated negotiations, the FBI had agreed to use me as bait, surrounding the restaurant with plainclothes officers. Meicus raised his glass, deliberately projecting his voice. “To our warrior lawyer, who nendy got herself killed!
Isolde followed his lead. “And to Caspian Drake’s i
Three dand
‘s recovery! I hear he’ll be discharged soon.
insar lake eelebration, my phone vibrated with an unknowin number.
I exchanged a quick glance with Marcus before standing. Tin taking this in the restroom.
Ten minutes,” he warned, hand shifting trend his concealed weapon.
The marble countertops of LeBlanca locutious bathroom gleaned under suft lighting as I answered. “Hello?”
Good evening, Ms. Winters Victor Chamber voice slithered thought the speaker. “I aplogize for interrupting your celebration.”
| Maffened. How do you know where I
inelevant, Mr. Palmer offers one t
cane final opportunity; drop all charges, cr
cease cooperating with the FB, and you and Drake remain anfe
That’s amusing Palmer ander se arrest and the Files mountains of evidence.”
Rachel Miller remains at large,” Chambers countered. “Even if Palmer falls, she has many supporters. Consider your friend. Isolde, colleague Marcus, even Dr. Mitchell
Listen, I used, my wodne dropping g to a deadly whisper as white hot rage flooded my wels, “Theatening my friends is the stupidest thing you could do.“ My fingris gripped the phone so tightly the case creaked
dest presents Palmer kade his emple on k
on broken prople, but he miscalculated with me. Tell him we’ll Alter Briefing the IRI agent stationed nesly, I received alarming News: Mark Bennett, Helena’s cousin who had voluntested to help with Caspian’s
we’ll see him in court – if Rachel doesn’t get to him f had abandoned his hospital post after receiving a call about me being in danger.
hure Mack away, I tralized, blood turning to fer: “We need to warn
decility,
rushed back to find chaos erupting. Restaurant patrons exacuated as security personnel
nected then toward rott
ndividasin omatuidet finlde explained, prakbang my arm. Theyre eating a diversion. We need to ge
10:35 AM ►
Chapter 38
The Fill safe house felt suffocatingly small after our narrow escape, the walls seeming to pulse with each anxious heartbeat.
1 paced like a caged animal, five steps one way, five steps back, unable to settle,
“They found Mark in the hospital parking lot,” the agent reported grimly, her face ashen “Knife wounds to the abdomen. He’s in surgery now.” She hesitated. “Before he lost consciousness, he identified his attacker. It was Rachel–she did it personally.”
1 stopped pacing, a cold void opening in my stomach,
Mark’s blood was on my hands.
After a sleepless night of interrogations and worry, I emerged to find Isolde already up, browsing apartment listings.
“Chambers threats made me realize we need somewhere more secure,” Isolde explained, turning her laptop to show a luxury penthouse. “Twenty–four–hour doorman, hiometric entry, surveillance everywhere.”
I gasped at the price. “Six thousand a month? Are you insane?”
“This isn’t just an apartment: it’s a fortress! Plus, we’d share it–you have your lawyer salary……
“I’m considering quitting, remember?” I interrupted.
Isolde grinned. “Even better! You could work from home. Make it headquarters for Winters Legal Consulting, specializing in helping domestic violence
survivors.”
I stared at the screen, a storm brewing behind my eyes.
Six years of threats, of looking over my shoulder, of flinching at shadows.
Robert’s rage, Rachel’s obsession
The glass from my shattered windows still embedded in my carpet.
Caspian’s body falling, blood blooming across his chest as he took a bullet meant for me.
“Enough,” I whispered, then louder. “Enough. Let’s look.”
holde’s smile was triumphant. “Already scheduled a viewing in an hour”
“That confident I’d agree?” I asked, arching an eyebrow,
Tve known you since college, Sage Winters.”
Holdes voice softened. “Behind that armor of yours, you’re starving a place where you don have to sleep with one
ing for a place
one ese open”
She leaned closer, her expression knowing. “And I’ve seen how you look at Caspian–like he might be worth the risk of letting someone
in
As Isolde prepared, my phone lit up with Caspian’s text: “Doctor says I’m recovering well. Looking at apartments? Good luck. P5. Wherever you move, find you. In the good way.”
I smiled, replying: “Focus on recovery. Will let you know. PS. Try me, quarterback”
For the first time in years, I felt something like hope rising in my chest.
This time, I wasnt running–1 was building something worth fighting for,
The luxury penthouse exceeded even Isolde’s exuberant descriptions.
Floor to ceiling windows revealed Manhattan sprawled below, bathed in afternoon light.
The security features are unparalleled,” the realtor explained, demonstrating the biometric scanner. Only registered residents and approved guests can
Isolde squeezed my arm excitedly. “It’s perfect!”
had to admit the appeal. No Rachel. No Robert. No looking over my
army shoulder.
Chapter 38
“Il take the application,” I said finally, ignoring Isoldes victorious whoop.
As we stepped outside into the afternoon sunlight, my phone vibrated with an emergency alert.
My stomach dropped as I read the hospital notification. ‘SECURITY BREACH. Patient Drake missing. Evidence of violent struggle. Blond at scene. Contact immediately.
The world tilted beneath my feet.
Before I could catch my balance, another notification lit up my so
screen—an unknown number: “You should have taken the deal. He called your name while 1 dragged him away. Looking forward to our reunion. R
Isoldes gasp pulled my attention
Her face had gone chalk white, phone trembling in her hand as she turned the screen toward me.
The image punched the air from my lungs: Caspian’s unconscious form slumped against a concrete wall, blood trickling from his temple, his hospital gown tom and stained crimson.
ng with madness.
At the edge of the frame, Rachel’s unmistakable smile, red lips pulled back to reveal perfect teeth, her eyes glittering
III kill her.” I whispered, the words like ice crystals forming in my throat. “This time, I swear to God, I’ll kill her.”
Chapter Comments
FOST CO
FOST COMMENT
it would seem all security measures are pathetic if Rachel can get to Drake so easily why isn’t her face plastered all over the news. why would Suge even consider staying at the current firm knowing there is corruption?
Mike De Vries
how does a girl that at best probably weighs 60KG DRAG a man that is probably 100KG pure muscle away from a hospital bed and no one noticed 17
