Chapter 8 - The Abduction
Defeated, humiliated, and stripped of his power, Marcus Vance was escorted out of the ballroom by armed security.
The rest of the night became a blur of congratulations, soft jazz, and respect. For the first time in ten months, Elina felt the heavy weight of fear leave her chest. She was no longer the broke waitress struggling to survive; she was standing beside the most powerful man in the city, holding her son in her arms, surrounded by protection.
At 1:00 AM, the Sterling convoy pulled up to the private rear exit of the hotel to take them back to the estate.
Rain had begun to fall again, slicking the asphalt of the alleyway.
"I’ll secure the lead vehicle," Marco said, stepping into the rain toward the first SUV.
Elina was holding Leo, who was drowsy and rubbing his eyes, while Dante walked beside her, holding a heavy black umbrella over her head.
Suddenly, a loud screech of tires echoed from the end of the alley!
A heavy delivery van burst through the alley entrance, slamming directly into the lead SUV! The impact threw Marco to the ground, spinning the vehicle around in a shower of sparks and broken glass!
"Ambush!" Dante roared, throwing his arm around Elina and shoving her behind the heavy steel pillar of the loading dock.
Before his guards could draw their weapons, four men wearing ski masks rushed out from the back of the van, opening fire with automatic submachine guns!
The deafening chatter of gunfire shattered the quiet night. Dante drew his custom sidearm, returning fire with lethal precision, dropping two attackers instantly. But the smoke and flashes created utter chaos in the narrow alley.
"Elina! Get inside!" Dante shouted over the roar of bullets, turning to cover her retreat.
Elina sprinted back toward the heavy steel security door of the hotel, holding Leo tight against her chest. But as she reached for the handle, a hand grabbed her from the dark alcove beside the door!
A damp cloth smelling of sharp, chemical sweet ether was slammed over her mouth and nose!
Elina kicked violently, trying to scream, but the fumes rushed into her lungs, turning her limbs to lead. Her vision blurred, the sounds of gunfire fading into a distant hum.
Through her fading consciousness, she saw Marcus Vance step out from the shadows, a wild, crazy grin on his bruised face as he reached out his hands to tear Leo from her arms.
"No..." Elina gasped out, her fingers locking into her baby’s blanket with every last ounce of her strength. "No..."
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"Take the child!" Marcus hissed. "And throw the girl in the river!"
Darkness swallowed her whole.
