Chapter 2 - The Father's Watch
I screamed in sheer terror as the first suppressed bullet shattered the glass window directly behind my head.
Luka shoved me roughly through the heavy metal fire doors, completely shielding my body with his own massive frame.
We sprinted down five flights of concrete stairs, my bare feet bleeding against the rough, cold steps.
I refused to let go of my daughter, holding her so tightly that she finally began to cry.
We burst out into the dark, rainy hospital parking alley, where a matte black armored SUV was idling silently.
Luka threw the passenger door open and practically shoved me inside, instantly jumping into the driver's seat.
He slammed his foot onto the gas pedal, tearing out of the alley just as the tactical team reached the ground floor.
Heavy gunfire rained down on the vehicle, but the bullets simply bounced off the military-grade reinforced glass.
"Who are you, and why are these people trying to steal my baby?" I sobbed hysterically, rocking my crying infant.
Luka kept his eyes fixed on the slick, rain-soaked road as he aggressively navigated the sharp city corners.
"I am the man your father hired to protect you before he was murdered ten years ago," Luka answered quietly.
I stopped breathing entirely, staring at this tattooed stranger in absolute, unadulterated shock.
"My father died in a tragic car accident, he was not murdered," I argued, my voice cracking under the emotional weight.
Luka reached into the center console of the vehicle and pulled out a heavy, silver pocket watch.
He tossed the antique timepiece directly into my trembling lap.
"Open it, Maya."
I popped the silver latch open, expecting to see the cracked glass face of the watch my father always carried.
Instead, the watch was in pristine condition, ticking perfectly in the dim light of the dashboard.
May you like
Engraved beautifully on the inside cover was a fresh inscription dated for this exact day, explicitly welcoming his new granddaughter into the world.
My father was still alive.
