Chapter 16 - NO PLACE WAS SAFE
Evelyn grabbed Ethan.
Lily loaded Grace’s files into a small bag.
Thomas turned off the lights.
Three vehicles approached the safe house without headlights.
The security team prepared to defend the property.
Then Victor stepped from the first vehicle.
He was bruised and bleeding.
But he was alive.
Lily ran outside before anyone could stop her.
Victor caught her with one arm.
She saw the cut near his temple.
“How did you find us?”
“I escaped the transport.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Victor looked toward Evelyn.
“One of your agents works for me.”
Evelyn raised her weapon.
Victor ignored it.
“Jonathan’s men are ten minutes behind.”
Lily showed him Grace’s note.
Victor read it twice.
“Grace never trusted her father.”
“She believed he wanted Ethan.”
Victor nodded.
“Jonathan financed Adrian’s secret operations.”
“He used my shipping network without my knowledge.”
Evelyn lowered her weapon slightly.
“Why?”
“To move money and people across borders.”
Victor looked at Ethan.
“Grace discovered enough to destroy him.”
Lily’s voice broke.
“So he killed his own daughter.”
Victor did not answer.
He did not need to.
They left the safe house through a wooded service road.
Jonathan’s men arrived moments later.
Gunfire followed them through the trees.
Victor drove while Evelyn returned fire from the rear window.
Ethan cried in Lily’s arms.
She covered his head beneath her coat.
The vehicles separated near the highway.
Thomas took Ethan toward a federal command center.
Victor, Lily, and Evelyn continued toward Lake Bellrose.
Grace’s second vault was likely hidden beneath the rebuilt boathouse.
Jonathan would be there.
Snow covered the road.
Victor gripped the steering wheel.
“If anything happens, you stay behind me.”
Lily looked at him.
“You cannot protect everyone by deciding everything alone.”
“I can protect my son.”
“He needs more than survival.”
Victor’s expression softened.
“I know.”
They reached the lake shortly before sunrise.
The boathouse lights were on.
Serena’s car was parked outside.
Victor stopped breathing for a moment.
Inside the boathouse, Jonathan Hartwell stood beside a bound prisoner.
Serena knelt on the floor with blood across her white coat.
Jonathan held a gun against her head.
May you like
He smiled when Lily entered.
“Welcome home, daughter.”
