Chapter 3 - The Fortress
Damian shoved my head down into the leather seat.
"Keep the girls on the floor!" he roared.
I threw my body over Mia and Lily, shielding them as best as I could.
Our driver swerved violently, clipping a parked car to shake our attackers.
I heard the deafening roar of automatic gunfire outside.
Damian drew a heavy black pistol from his shoulder holster.
He kicked the shattered window completely out and fired three precise shots.
A loud crash echoed behind us.
"Target neutralized," the driver announced, his voice shockingly calm.
"Get us to the penthouse," Damian ordered, reloading his weapon.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
I had spent my life saving people in sterilized hospital rooms, not dodging bullets in luxury cars.
The SUV tore through downtown Chicago and plunged into an underground parking garage.
Massive steel doors slammed shut behind us, cutting us off from the world.
Damian helped me out of the car.
His hands were strong and surprisingly gentle.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his dark eyes searching my face.
"I'm fine," I lied, my knees shaking so badly I could barely stand.
We took a private elevator up to the top floor of the skyscraper.
The doors opened to reveal a massive, ultra-modern penthouse with panoramic views of the city.
There were armed guards stationed at every entrance.
"You will be safe here," Damian promised, taking off his coat.
"No one gets into this building without my authorization."
I sat on a velvet sofa, pulling Mia tightly onto my lap.
Lily sat next to us, completely unfazed by the violence.
Damian poured a glass of water and handed it to me.
I reached out to take it, but my fingers brushed against his.
A sudden jolt of electricity passed between us, making me pull back slightly.
He noticed, and a faint smile touched his lips.
Suddenly, my cell phone began to vibrate in my purse.
I pulled it out and stared at the unknown number on the screen.
Damian frowned.
"Answer it, but put it on speaker," he commanded.
I pressed the green button with a shaking finger.
"Hello?" I whispered.
The voice on the other end belonged to the stranger from the park.
May you like
"Nice view from up there, Chloe," the man chuckled.
"Too bad Damian doesn't realize I'm already inside the penthouse."
