Chapter 4 - The Threat in the Shadows
Adrian stared at his phone, realizing the terrifying extent of Arthur Vance's power.
The attorney had clearly seen Adrian's luxury car parked outside Marissa's apartment building.
Arthur had instantly known that his dark, decades-old secret was in jeopardy.
He was using his vast connections to financially paralyze Adrian and frame him before the truth could be exposed.
Adrian looked up at Marissa and told her they had to leave the apartment right that second.
He explained that Arthur had just frozen his assets and put a warrant out for his arrest.
Marissa did not waste time asking questions or panicking.
She grabbed a duffel bag and threw in baby Owen's formula, diapers, and a few warm clothes.
She strapped the baby securely to her chest in a worn fabric carrier.
Adrian grabbed her arm and led her quickly down the dark, smelling staircase.
They burst out of the front doors and ran into the freezing, relentless rain.
They reached Adrian's luxury sedan, and he desperately pushed the ignition button.
The engine sputtered violently, clicked loudly, and then died completely.
Someone had tampered with the vehicle while Adrian was upstairs in the apartment.
Suddenly, the roar of a heavy engine echoed from the end of the dark street.
A massive, armored black SUV turned the corner with its headlights turned off.
The vehicle accelerated rapidly, the tires squealing on the wet asphalt.
It was heading directly toward where Adrian and Marissa were standing on the curb.
Adrian grabbed Marissa by the waist just as the SUV jumped the curb.
He threw them both backward into the deep shadows of a narrow alleyway.
The heavy vehicle smashed into the brick wall of the apartment building, crushing the front of Adrian's car.
Bricks and shattered glass rained down on the pavement as the SUV reversed violently.
The tinted windows rolled down, and the glowing red laser sight of a rifle pierced the darkness.
The laser dot moved rapidly across the alley wall, searching for a target.
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The red dot suddenly stopped moving.
It rested perfectly on the center of baby Owen's forehead.
