Chapter 3 - The Bloody Escape
The armed mercenaries froze completely, unwilling to risk the life of their wealthy employer.
"Order your men to open the main doors, Victoria," Adrian commanded with lethal authority.
Victoria swallowed hard, genuine fear finally cracking her arrogant, pristine facade.
She gave a subtle, trembling nod to the men guarding the heavy mahogany exits.
The mercenaries slowly unlocked the doors, parting like a sea to let the dangerous man pass.
Adrian kept his rifle locked on Victoria while gently guiding Clara and Mia backward toward the exit.
"If anyone follows us, your boss dies before her body hits the floor," Adrian warned the guards.
They burst out into the grand hotel lobby, the chaotic sound of city traffic echoing through the open glass doors.
Adrian shoved Victoria aggressively toward a marble pillar, using the distraction to sprint toward the street.
"Do not let them get away!" Victoria shrieked furiously, recovering her balance.
Gunfire instantly shattered the heavy glass windows of the lobby, raining sharp shards across the carpet.
Adrian covered Clara with his own body, taking a grazing bullet to his left shoulder.
He ignored the searing pain, rushing his daughters into a running, empty taxi parked at the curb.
He violently pulled the terrified driver out of the front seat and jumped behind the steering wheel.
The taxi tires screeched loudly as Adrian floored the accelerator, tearing away from the luxurious hotel.
Clara huddled in the back seat, holding baby Mia tightly as tears streamed down her dirty face.
"Are we finally safe now, Daddy?" Clara asked, her voice shaking uncontrollably.
Adrian looked in the rearview mirror, watching three massive black SUVs merge aggressively onto the avenue behind them.
"We are going to be fine, sweetheart," Adrian lied smoothly to comfort his traumatized child.
He swerved the taxi through the busy intersection, desperately trying to lose the highly trained pursuit team.
Suddenly, baby Mia began to cough violently in the back seat.
The tiny infant gasped for air, her small chest heaving with terrifying, unnatural effort.
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Clara wiped her sister’s mouth, screaming in absolute horror at what she saw.
The baby’s lips were turning completely blue, and thick, dark blood was spilling down her chin.
