Chapter 22 - The Lioness in the Storm
We moved through the crumbling mansion like ghosts fleeing a collapsing empire. Smoke billowed through the long portrait gallery where generations of ruthless Sterling men had gazed down with cold arrogance; now, their gilded frames lay shattered on the floor, their faces scorched by fire.
Leo clung to my neck, his little arms wrapped tight enough to choke me, but I didn't care. I carried him like the most precious treasure on earth, stepping over burning beams and shattered marble.
"Almost at the eastern garage," Julian shouted over the groaning steel above our heads. He kept his service weapon drawn, clearing every doorway with sharp, disciplined precision. "My personal security detail should have the perimeter secured."
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the end of the corridor blew open.
Two men in dark tactical gear stepped through, assault rifles raised. For a split second, my blood ran cold, thinking Arthur’s private enforcers had cut off our only avenue of escape. I immediately shifted my body, shielding Leo entirely with my back, ready to take the bullets myself.
"Hold your fire! It's Julian!" one of the men barked into his radio.
Julian exhaled sharply. "Marcus. Report."
"The main driveway is blocked by fallen timber and an exploded transformer," Marcus said briskly, stepping forward to form a defensive diamond around us. "Local authorities and fire rescue are five minutes out, but we received word of an unidentified black SUV idling at the base of the private access road. Someone tried to clear out the safe house fifty yards south."
My eyes narrowed as cold clarity pierced through the exhaustion. "Brooke."
Julian looked at me, understanding dawning in his gaze. "She wasn't on the cliff. She waited behind to collect the emergency reserve funds Arthur kept stashed in the secondary vault."
"She thinks she’s going to walk away from this," I said, my voice dropping to a deadly, venomous whisper. "She watched my child crawl on bruised knees. She called my baby an animal. She doesn't get to drive away into the night."
May you like
"Clara, let the police handle her," Julian urged gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You and Leo need medical attention."
"I am fine," I stated, looking into Julian’s eyes with unwavering resolve. "And my son will never have to look over his shoulder again. Take us to that access road."
