Chapter 7 - The Desperate Escape
Dust and debris rained down violently from the wooden ceiling above us.
"What on earth was that?" Chloe screamed, covering her ears in terror.
"Someone just blew the front door completely off its hinges," I realized with a sinking heart.
Daniel slowly opened his bleeding eyes and let out a weak, sinister laugh.
"My creditors have finally arrived, and they do not knock politely," Daniel mocked us from the floor.
"They want their fifty million dollars, and they will happily sell your precious kids to get it."
I grabbed the heavy handgun from the dark corner and checked the loaded magazine.
"Stay down here and keep absolutely quiet," I ordered the three women and my children.
"Mommy, please do not go up there," Sophia cried, grabbing the hem of my coat.
I knelt down and kissed her forehead with fierce determination.
"I will always protect you, my beautiful girl," I promised her softly.
I crept silently up the wooden stairs, gripping the cold metal of the gun tightly.
When I peeked into the living room, my blood froze entirely in my veins.
Six heavily armed mercenaries wearing tactical winter gear were marching through the destroyed entryway.
They were carrying military assault rifles and sweeping the room with laser sights.
The terrified relatives who had stayed upstairs were kneeling on the floor with their hands raised.
"Find the billionaire ex-wife and the four kids," the lead mercenary barked loudly.
"Our boss says they are worth double what Daniel owes us."
I knew my single handgun was completely useless against six heavily armored professionals.
I needed to negotiate, and I needed to do it immediately.
I stepped boldly out of the basement doorway and raised my empty left hand in the air.
May you like
"I am the woman you are looking for," I announced loudly.
Six red laser dots instantly appeared on my chest.
