Chapter 24 - The Mother’s Return|
The laptop screen glowed a sinister red, displaying a hit list of three names. The men who had orchestrated her father’s assassination. The first name made her blood run cold: Marcus Sterling. He was a billionaire real estate mogul, and unfortunately, a face Natalie recognized all too well.
Before she could process the information, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Chloe.
“Nat, you need to get to the gallery right now,” Chloe’s voice was trembling, entirely devoid of the vibrant energy she had just yesterday. “She’s here. And she’s absolutely terrified.”
“Who is there, Chloe? Calm down,” Natalie demanded, though she already knew the answer.
“Mom,” Chloe sobbed. “She looks terrible. She’s saying people are trying to kill her. Nat, please, I don't know what to do.”
“Lock the back office doors. Do not let anyone else inside. I am on my way.”
Natalie slammed the laptop shut and turned to Silas. “My mother is at Chloe’s art gallery. If Marcus Sterling is looking for the key, he’s probably tracking her.”
“I’ll call my security team,” Silas said, pulling out an earpiece.
“I’m coming with you,” Ethan stepped in front of the vault door, his jaw set. “You are not doing this alone. I know Sterling's tactical squads. You need me.”
Natalie glared at him, a storm of betrayal and necessity raging inside her. “Fine. You are my bodyguard for today, Ethan. But understand this: the man I was going to marry is dead. If you double-cross me, I will put a bullet in you myself.”
May you like
Ethan flinched, the pain visible in his eyes, but he nodded sharply. “Understood.”
They sprinted back through the tunnels. The transition from civilian life to the underworld had taken less than three hours, but as Natalie climbed into the SUV, she felt as though she had been preparing for this her entire life.
