Chapter 5 - THE CHILD
Adrian had imagined becoming a father.
Just not like this.
Not in a dark bedroom while his wife trembled beside a packed hospital bag.
Not after learning someone had tried to kill her.
Not after discovering that the child she carried might be the key to controlling his entire empire.
"How far along?"
"Eleven weeks."
Adrian sat down.
Eleven weeks.
He counted backward.
The night of their anniversary.
The only night that year when he had come home early.
The night Claire had asked him to stay.
He had left before midnight.
Because Victor had called.
Because there had been a problem at the docks.
Because business had always been more urgent.
Adrian closed his eyes.
Claire watched him.
"You don't have to pretend to be happy."
He looked up.
"I'm not pretending."
"You were going to divorce me."
"I was wrong."
"You thought I was cheating."
"I was wrong."
"You thought I hated you."
"I was wrong."
Claire's lips trembled.
"That's a lot of wrong."
Adrian moved toward her.
"I know."
He stopped in front of her.
"Can I?"
She didn't understand.
He looked at her stomach.
Claire hesitated.
Then nodded.
Adrian placed his hand gently against her abdomen.
There was nothing to feel.
No movement.
No proof.
And yet his chest tightened.
"Our baby."
Claire looked down.
"Yes."
Adrian swallowed.
"Nobody touches you."
A bitter smile crossed her face.
"You can't promise that."
"I can."
"You can't control everything."
"No."
He looked into her eyes.
"But I can control what happens next."
A knock sounded.
Michael entered.
"The hospital is compromised."
Adrian turned.
"How?"
"The administrator is working for Victor."
Claire immediately reached for her bag.
"Then I can't go."
"You need treatment."
"I know."
Adrian looked at Michael.
"Where?"
"Private clinic outside Milwaukee."
"Too exposed."
"Then where?"
Adrian thought.
"My mother's old house."
Claire frowned.
"That place has been empty for years."
"Exactly."
Michael shook his head.
"They'll search it."
"Not if they think I've abandoned it."
Within twenty minutes, Adrian had arranged three vehicles.
No electronic devices.
No regular security.
No one outside the inner circle knew their destination.
But as they drove through the storm, Adrian noticed something.
One vehicle was following them.
Black SUV.
He called Marcus.
"Do you have a tail?"
"Negative."
Adrian looked in the mirror.
The SUV remained.
"Check again."
Marcus did.
Then his voice changed.
"Boss..."
"What?"
"That vehicle belongs to Victor."
Adrian's hand tightened.
"How close?"
"Two cars behind you."
Adrian looked at Claire.
She was asleep against the window.
He didn't wake her.
"Get her out of the vehicle."
"What?"
"Now."
Marcus understood.
Their convoy split at the next intersection.
Adrian's car continued straight.
Claire's vehicle turned north.
The black SUV followed Adrian.
He smiled.
For the first time that night, he had a plan.
He drove toward the old warehouse district.
The SUV followed.
Then another vehicle appeared.
And another.
Three SUVs.
Adrian realized immediately.
It wasn't Victor.
It was an extraction team.
They weren't following him.
They were hunting Claire.
Adrian called Marcus.
"Get her to the clinic."
"Already moving."
"Don't stop."
"What about you?"
Adrian looked at the three vehicles closing behind him.
"I'll give them something to chase."
He accelerated.
The chase lasted seventeen minutes.
By the time Adrian reached the abandoned warehouse, two vehicles had crashed.
The third stopped outside.
Four armed men exited.
Adrian stepped from his car.
Alone.
The leader approached.
"Where is Claire?"
Adrian smiled.
"You'll never know."
The man raised his weapon.
A voice came from behind him.
"That's unfortunate."
Marcus.
Six men emerged from the darkness.
The attackers were disarmed within seconds.
But Adrian's victory lasted only until his phone rang.
It was the clinic.
He answered.
"Where is my wife?"
Silence.
Then a nurse whispered,
"Mr. Cross..."
Adrian's heart stopped.
"What happened?"
"She isn't here."
His blood turned cold.
"Where is she?"
"We don't know."
Adrian looked at Marcus.
"Find her."
"We will."
Then a message appeared on Adrian's phone.
A photograph.
Claire.
Sitting in a hospital room.
Her hands tied.
A man stood behind her.
Adrian recognized him immediately.
His brother.
Ethan.
Under the photograph were six words.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY.
Adrian stared at the screen.
For twelve years, he had believed Ethan was dead.
May you like
Now his brother had his wife.
And the child Adrian had just discovered existed.
