Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED COAT
Adrian pulled Claire and Emma behind a row of rusted machines.
His mother, Evelyn Vale, stood beneath a black umbrella while armed men surrounded the station.
She looked older, thinner, and perfectly calm.
“Adrian!” she called. “You’ve always made simple things difficult.”
Claire held Emma tightly.
Adrian stepped into view with his weapon raised. “You let me bury you.”
“I let you believe what you needed to believe.”
“You let me mourn you.”
“You were stronger afterward.”
His face twisted. “You’re insane.”
Evelyn’s eyes moved to Emma. “Bring me the child.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“She is the last piece of your father’s inheritance.”
Adrian fired into the ground near her feet.
“Take one more step toward her.”
Evelyn sighed. “You still think this is about money.”
“What is it about?”
“Control. Your father built a system that kept powerful people obedient. Politicians. Judges. Police chiefs. Your company is only the public face.”
Claire stepped beside Adrian. “You murdered innocent people.”
“I removed weaknesses.”
“You tried to kill me.”
“I tried to stop Claire from destroying the family.”
Evelyn pointed at Emma. “The child has your father’s blood and Claire’s access to the original accounts. She is valuable.”
Emma buried her face against Claire.
Adrian’s voice dropped. “You will never touch her.”
Gunfire erupted.
Marcus and the guards returned fire as Adrian dragged Claire and Emma toward the back exit.
A bullet struck Marcus in the shoulder.
He fell.
Adrian turned back, but Marcus shouted, “Go!”
They ran through a narrow tunnel beneath the station.
At the far end, Claire stumbled.
Adrian caught her.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “Emma’s gone.”
His body went cold.
Claire looked behind them.
Emma was no longer in her arms.
Adrian turned toward the tunnel.
At the entrance stood Daniel.
He held Emma against his chest.
The child was awake, frightened, and reaching for Claire.
Daniel pointed a gun at Adrian.
“Drop yours.”
Adrian slowly lowered his weapon.
Daniel looked exactly like the brother Adrian had buried, except for the scar on his face and the hatred in his eyes.
“You killed me,” Daniel said.
“I attended your funeral.”
“You believed the lie.”
“You let me.”
Daniel pulled Emma closer. “Because you were supposed to take Father’s place.”
Adrian stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel smiled bitterly.
May you like
“You were never the heir, Adrian.”
Cliffhanger: Daniel raised the gun toward Emma and said, “She is.”
