Chapter 9 - The Hostage
In the sudden, terrifying darkness, pure chaos erupted in the hotel suite.
I heard the heavy thud of Julian aggressively tackling Chloe to the floor.
The handgun went off with a deafening bang, shattering the massive glass balcony doors into a million pieces.
I threw myself across the king-sized bed, wrapping my entire body tightly around Emma to shield her from the flying glass.
Emma woke up and started crying softly against my shoulder.
“I've got you, baby, you are completely safe,” I whispered fiercely into her hair.
The emergency backup lights flickered on a few seconds later, casting a sickly yellow glow over the room.
Julian had Chloe securely pinned face-down on the carpet, easily holding her arms behind her back.
His highly trained security team rushed forward and secured her with heavy zip ties.
Chloe screamed terrifying curses at us as they dragged her violently out of the suite.
Paramedics burst into the room carrying a stretcher and emergency medical supplies.
They immediately went to work on Marcus, desperately trying to stop the massive bleeding from his chest wound.
As they lifted him carefully onto the stretcher, Marcus reached out and weakly grabbed my wrist.
His face was ghostly pale, and he looked at me with genuine, deep regret.
“Evelyn,” he choked out, coughing up a small amount of blood.
“The money wasn't just for Chloe to escape.”
I frowned, leaning in closer to hear his weak, fading voice.
“What are you talking about?” I asked urgently.
“She owed millions to the Russian syndicate for her illegal gambling debts,” Marcus whispered.
“The money she extorted from Julian was supposed to pay them off tonight.”
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He squeezed my wrist with the last ounce of his remaining strength.
“Because she failed to pay them, they are coming for you next.”
