Chapter 8 - The Escape
The shockwave threw me violently over the stone railing.
I plummeted toward the freezing black water of the lake.
I hit the surface hard, the impact driving the air completely from my lungs.
The freezing temperature paralyzed my muscles instantly.
I fought through the searing pain and swam frantically toward the surface.
I broke through the waves, gasping for precious oxygen.
I looked up at my burning estate, watching the flames lick the night sky.
I swam toward the shoreline where I had dropped Allie and the child.
They were huddled beneath the wooden docks, shivering uncontrollably.
I dragged myself out of the water and collapsed onto the wet sand.
Allie crawled over to me, her teeth chattering violently.
She asked if Enzo had made it out of the bedroom.
I shook my head, the bitter taste of loss burning in my throat.
I forced myself to stand up, knowing Lorenzo’s men would search the shoreline soon.
I led them through the dense woods toward the hidden access road.
I had a vintage muscle car parked in a secure, climate-controlled garage a mile away.
We reached the garage undetected and climbed into the dry vehicle.
I turned the ignition, and the heavy engine roared to life.
I turned the heater on full blast to save Lily from hypothermia.
We sped away into the darkness, leaving my burning empire behind.
I told Allie I was taking them to my secure penthouse in the heart of downtown Chicago.
It was a fortress designed specifically to withstand a full-scale siege.
We drove in complete silence for twenty minutes.
I reached into my pocket to check on the encrypted flash drive.
My fingers brushed against empty, wet fabric.
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I slammed on the brakes, my heart stopping completely.
I had dropped the ledger in the lake.
