Chapter 2 - The Moving Target
I stared at Damian as if he had lost his mind.
"A hitman?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
"That is insane."
"I am a nurse."
Damian stepped closer, his broad shoulders shielding me from the rest of the park.
"You are the nurse who ruined a three-million-dollar assassination attempt on my family."
He reached out and gently guided me by the elbow toward the street.
"We need to move right now."
I pulled my arm away.
"I am not going anywhere with a stranger."
"You are the head of a crime family?"
Damian did not flinch at my accusation.
"I am Damian Cross."
"I run the Cross Syndicate, and right now, I am the only thing standing between you and a shallow grave."
He whistled sharply, and a black armored SUV instantly pulled up to the curb.
Two men in dark suits stepped out, scanning the park with their hands resting inside their jackets.
Mia tugged on my hand.
"Mommy, are we going in the big car?"
Lily, Damian's daughter, gave Mia a bright smile.
"We have juice boxes in the back," Lily offered cheerfully.
That innocent comment broke my paralysis.
I could not risk Mia's life by standing in the open.
I scooped Mia into my arms and climbed into the back of the SUV.
Damian slid in next to me, and the doors locked with a heavy, metallic thud.
The vehicle sped away from the park, blending into the Chicago traffic.
"I have a security detail heading to your apartment to pack your things," Damian ordered smoothly.
"You can't just take over my life," I protested.
"I am keeping you alive," he corrected.
He pulled a tablet from the seatback console and tapped the screen.
A live surveillance feed appeared, showing my apartment hallway.
My front door had been kicked open, and it was hanging off its hinges.
I gasped, covering my mouth with my trembling hand.
"They were already waiting for you at home," Damian said grimly.
Suddenly, a massive jolt rocked the SUV.
May you like
Tires screeched as the driver fought for control.
I screamed as the window next to Damian shattered under a hail of bullets.
