Chapter 2 - The Bulletproof Glass
The armed men advanced slowly and methodically, aggressively cornering them against the heavy marble railing of the balcony.
Vanessa ripped her ruined sleeve free from the silver blade, a wicked, triumphant smile returning to her face.
"You brought a knife to a gunfight, Elias," Vanessa sneered, stepping safely behind her wall of armed mercenaries.
Elias did not flinch or show an ounce of fear, completely shielding Kiora's fragile body with his broad, muscular shoulders.
"I brought exactly what I needed to finish this job," Elias replied with deadly, unwavering calm.
He pressed a hidden mechanical button on the heavy silver watch strapped securely to his left wrist.
Instantly, the massive floor-to-ceiling courthouse windows behind the armed men shattered inward with a deafening explosion of glass.
A heavy armored tactical transport vehicle smashed brutally through the window frame, raining sharp debris across the entire hallway.
The armed men scrambled desperately for cover, diving blindly away from the roaring, diesel-powered engine.
The heavy passenger door flew open, revealing a heavily scarred driver gripping the steering wheel with intense focus.
"Get in right now, boss!" the driver yelled over the deafening noise of the panicked courthouse.
Elias scooped Kiora effortlessly into his arms and leaped swiftly into the safety of the armored cabin.
Bullets pinged harmlessly against the reinforced steel chassis as the vehicle sped away down the chaotic city street.
Kiora leaned heavily against the plush leather seat, panting heavily as the agonizing pain in her stomach slowly subsidized.
"Who are these horrible people, Elias?" Kiora demanded, her voice shaking violently with residual fear.
"They are the dangerous syndicate actively trying to steal your husband's massive offshore empire," Elias explained grimly.
"Julian's sudden disappearance three weeks ago was not a boating accident, Kiora."
Kiora's heart pounded relentlessly against her ribs like a trapped, panicked bird.
"Julian is still alive?" she whispered, a desperate, glowing spark of hope igniting in her chest.
Elias reached into a secured metal lockbox under his seat and handed her a crumpled, glossy photograph.
The terrifying picture showed Julian tied to a wooden chair in a dark, damp basement, holding today's morning newspaper.
"He is alive for now, but he only has twenty-four hours left before they execute him," Elias stated flatly.
Suddenly, the driver slammed on the heavy hydraulic brakes, throwing Kiora forward violently against her safety belt.
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A massive, impenetrable barricade of burning city buses completely blocked the narrow alleyway ahead of them.
They were entirely surrounded by dozens of heavily armed mercenaries stepping out smoothly from the dark shadows.
