Chapter 2 - The Silent Exit
I did not hesitate for a single second.
I turned and sprinted toward the catering entrance at the back of the glass tent.
The undercover waiter followed closely behind me, keeping his weapon trained on my father's security team.
The panicked wedding guests screamed and scrambled out of our way.
We burst through the heavy swinging doors and into the chaotic, stainless-steel kitchen.
Chefs yelled in confusion as we ran past the roaring stoves and steaming prep stations.
I demanded to know who this man was and why the federal raid had not happened.
He said his name was Liam and he was the only SEC agent left who hadn't been compromised.
We pushed through the back exit and stepped out into the cool, dark Rhode Island night.
The sprawling estate grounds were eerily quiet compared to the chaos inside the tent.
Liam tapped his earpiece and cursed loudly under his breath.
He told me that someone with immense political power had just canceled the federal raid.
My father had evidently purchased protection from the highest levels of the government.
We ran across the manicured lawn toward the massive iron gates at the front of the property.
As we got closer, bright headlights suddenly swept across the dark grass.
Three black SUVs skidded to a halt, completely blocking the main exit.
Heavily armed men stepped out of the vehicles with tactical rifles raised.
Liam pulled me behind a large stone fountain to hide from the sweeping spotlights.
He checked his pistol and grimly told me he only had one spare magazine left.
I realized that we were entirely trapped inside my family's fortified compound.
The security guards began marching slowly toward our position in a coordinated line.
I told Liam that there was an old service tunnel beneath the property that led to the beach.
He nodded and told me to lead the way before we were completely surrounded.
We crawled through the wet grass and managed to reach the hidden entrance behind the rose garden.
May you like
I pulled the rusted iron handle, but the heavy door refused to budge.
Suddenly, I felt the cold, unmistakable metal barrel of a gun press firmly against the back of my head.
