Chapter 6 - The Ransom
I screamed until my throat tore.
I ran to the shattered service elevator doors, tearing at the broken metal with my bare hands.
Damian pulled me back, wrapping his strong arms tightly around my waist.
"Let me go!" I sobbed, fighting wildly against his grip.
"They took her!"
Damian spun me around and held my face in both of his hands.
His dark eyes were fierce, anchoring me to reality.
"I will get her back, Chloe."
"I swear to you on my own life, I will bring your daughter home."
His words carried a heavy, terrifying certainty.
I collapsed against his chest, weeping uncontrollably.
He held me tight, stroking my hair while he barked orders to his remaining men.
Within an hour, the penthouse was transformed into a military command center.
Computer screens lined the dining table, tracking city cameras and cell towers.
Lily sat quietly on the sofa, clutching her teddy bear and looking heartbroken.
I sat numbly in a chair, holding Mia's abandoned jacket.
David was alive.
The man who had abused me, the man I had finally escaped, was still out there.
Damian walked over and handed me a mug of hot tea.
"My hackers found the getaway car," Damian said softly.
"They abandoned it near the industrial shipyards on the south side."
Suddenly, my cell phone rang on the table.
The caller ID showed David's old phone number.
I stared at it in horror.
Damian nodded, silently telling me to answer it.
I picked up the phone.
"Hello, Chloe," David's cold, familiar voice echoed through the speaker.
"David," I choked out.
"Please, don't hurt her."
"I would never hurt my own flesh and blood," David replied smoothly.
"But I cannot say the same for your new boyfriend."
I looked up at Damian, terrified.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"I don't want money," David laughed darkly.
May you like
"I want Damian Cross to walk into Warehouse 42 alone and unarmed."
"If he doesn't arrive in thirty minutes, I will put Mia on a boat to a country where you will never find her."
