Chapter 55
“Fuck!”
Martinez grabbed her useless radio as darkness swallowed the FBI building.
“Someone cut the main power and disabled our backup generators simultaneously.”
Caspian’s hand found mine in the pitch black, his grip tight with urgency.
“We need to move. Now.”
My phone’s screen illuminated our faces, casting eerie shadows as another message from Rachel appeared:
I’m at your mother’s house. Remember when you left her with Robert six years ago? History repeats itself. Three hours. Come alone to the abandoned factory. She misses you.
The attached photo made my blood freeze–my mother bound to a chair, her face bruised and swollen, eyes wide with the same terror I’d seen the night I fled our home six years ago.
Rachel has my mother,” I whispered, my voice breaking as I showed Caspian the screen.
Martinez immediately started organizing agents. “This is clearly a trap. We’ll send a tactical team-”
“No!”
The word tore from my throat.
“You don’t understand what Rachel’s capable of! She’s been watching our every move for weeks. If she sees anyone but me, she’ll kill my mother without hesitation.
“At least let me come with you,” Caspian pleaded, his eyes dark with fear–fear for me. “I can stay back, out of sight.”
I gripped his arms, tears threatening to spill.
“I can’t risk it. Not with my mother’s life at stake.”
While Martinez coordinated with her team, I silently pocketed her backup car keys from a nearby desk.
As agents rushed around us, I pressed my forehead against Caspian’s for one brief moment, slipping a note into his pocket:
Track my phone. Stay back. Trust me.
Each minute felt like an eternity as I drove through the darkened city, windshield wipers battling against sudden rain.
The abandoned factory finally appeared–a monstrous shadow against the night sky, one solitary light visible through shattered windows.
My hands shook as I recorded what might be my final words: “If I don’t make it back, the evidence against Palmer and Rachel is in my apartment safe. Caspian… I’m sorry for running again. Maybe in another life…”
The factory door creaked open beneath my touch, the smell of rust and decay assaulting my senses.
A faint whimper echoed through the cavernous space, my mother’s voice calling to me like a siren song.
‘Mom?‘
I called softly, my flashlight beam cutting through decades of dust.
Turning a corner, I froze.
My mother sat bound to a metal chair, face bruised and tear stained.
But what shocked for most was who stood beside ber
“Victor? The name escaped as a betrayed whisper.
Chapter 55
Victor Chambers adjusted his immaculate suit cuffs, looking utterly out of place in the decaying factory.
“Ms. Winters. Right on time.”
My mother’s eyes widened with panic when she saw me,
“Sage, no! Run! It’s a trap!”
Victor backhanded her without even looking, the sound of flesh striking flesh echoing through the empty space.
Something primal roared to life inside me,
“Touch her again and I’ll kill you!”
“Such passion, Victor commented, studying me like a curious specimen.
“Palmer was right about your weakness. Threaten someone you care about, and you abandon all logic.”
1 inched closer, fingers wrapping around the taser in my pocket.
“Where’s Rachel? This was her threat, her game.”
“Ms. Miller and Ms. Palmer have been quite busy orchestrating tonight’s events.”
Victor checked his watch.
“They’ll join our little reunion shortly.”
“You said Robert was in custody,” I accused, mind racing to understand what was happening.
“He is. Did you think we needed that pathetic man?”
Victor’s smile never reached his eyes.
The photo was… artistically enhanced. Your mother’s current condition is Rachel’s handiwork. She’s quite talented at recreating her father’s methods.”
My mother struggled against her restraints, tears streaming down her battered face.
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