Chapter 2 - The Crossfire
Shattered glass rained down upon the polished floor like deadly hail.
Deafening gunfire erupted from the street outside, echoing terrifyingly through the elementary school.
Ethan lunged forward instantly, tackling me fiercely to the hard linoleum floor.
His heavy, muscular body completely shielded mine from the flying shrapnel.
"Get her to the secure wing!" Ethan roared to his bodyguards over the chaotic noise.
Two of his men returned fire aggressively, laying down a wall of bullets toward the destroyed entrance.
Ethan grabbed my hand and yanked me forcefully to my feet.
We sprinted desperately down the long, brightly lit corridor as bullets chewed through the plaster walls behind us.
"Who is shooting at us?!" I screamed, terrified out of my mind.
"The Romano family," Ethan yelled back, never slowing his pace.
"They must have tracked my vehicle when I left the syndicate headquarters."
We darted around a corner and ducked into an empty science classroom.
Ethan slammed the heavy wooden door shut and locked the deadbolt.
He flipped a heavy desk over with one hand and shoved me safely behind it.
My mind was racing with a million terrifying thoughts, but only one truly mattered.
I checked my watch, realizing it was almost time for Leo's afternoon nap at Mrs. Jenkins's apartment.
"I have to get out of here," I panicked, trying to stand up.
Ethan pushed me gently but firmly back down to the floor.
"You will die the second you step out of this room, Mariah," he warned sternly.
He pulled a sleek, silver pistol from his shoulder holster and checked the loaded magazine.
"You said someone lied to you about the trust fund," I pressed, desperate for answers amidst the chaos.
Ethan crouched beside me, his green eyes burning with a terrifying, lethal rage.
"My right-hand man, Marcus, was instructed to ensure you were financially set for life."
"He told me you took the money and specifically requested that I never contact you again."
Tears of sheer frustration and anger welled up in my eyes.
"I sent you fifty emails begging you to call me because I was pregnant!" I cried out before I could stop myself.
The chaotic sounds of the gunfight outside faded into absolute silence as the heavy realization hit him.
Ethan stared at me, all the color completely draining from his usually composed face.
"You had a child?" he whispered, his voice cracking with unprecedented vulnerability.
"We have a son, Ethan, and he is waiting for me at home right now," I confessed through my tears.
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Before Ethan could even process the massive revelation, the classroom door was violently kicked open.
Standing in the doorway was Marcus, holding a smoking assault rifle and smiling a wicked, blood-chilling smile.
