Chapter 9 - The Escape
Leo's eyes snapped open in sheer surprise.
He stared at Mave, realizing she had just chosen to betray a federal agent to save him.
"Behind the wine racks," Leo answered quickly.
Sarah raised her weapon higher.
"Do not move, Mave!" Sarah warned loudly.
Leo did not give the agent time to pull the trigger.
He kicked a heavy wooden wine barrel directly into Sarah's path.
The agent stumbled backward to avoid the rolling weight.
Leo grabbed Mave's hand and sprinted toward the back wall of the massive cellar.
He pushed hard against a specific brick in the damp mortar.
A heavy section of the stone wall swung inward with a loud grinding sound.
They slipped into the dark, narrow tunnel just as the FBI breached the basement doors above them.
Leo slammed the stone door shut, plunging them into absolute, suffocating blackness.
"Keep your hand on the left wall and run," Leo ordered in the dark.
Mave stumbled blindly over the uneven dirt floor, her lungs burning with every breath.
They ran for what felt like miles beneath the sprawling estate grounds.
The tunnel finally ended at a rusted iron grate leading into the city's storm drain system.
Leo kicked the heavy grate open with his heavy leather shoes.
They climbed out into the freezing, relentless rain of the industrial district.
A discreet black sedan was parked entirely alone under a broken streetlamp.
Leo quickly punched a code into the keypad on the door and unlocked it.
They collapsed into the leather seats, soaking wet and gasping for air.
Leo started the engine and tore away from the curb without turning on the headlights.
"Why did you stay with me?" Leo asked, his voice rough with emotion.
Mave stared out the window at the blurry city lights.
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"Because my mother died owing you her life, and now my debt is finally paid."
Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly, realizing he had just lost her forever.
