Chapter 3 - Midnight Rescue in East LA
The twin-turbo engine of Daniel’s sports car roared as he tore down the empty lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway, bypassing every red light on his way to East Los Angeles. The rain had begun to fall, slicking the asphalt and reflecting the harsh red and blue neon lights of the city.
His phone buzzed on the dashboard. It was Vanessa. He let it ring out, his heart hammering against his ribs like a sledgehammer.
Maria had given him the address: a modest two-story apartment building tucked behind a auto body shop on 4th Street. Noah was staying with Maria’s elder sister, Elena.
Daniel pulled up to the curb at 3:15 a.m., dousing his headlights. Just as he stepped out into the pouring rain, he spotted two black glass-tinted SUVs idling near the entrance of the alleyway. Two muscular men in dark trench coats were stepping out of the front SUV, carrying heavy flashlights and sidearms concealed under their coats.
Vanessa’s private security detail.
Daniel didn't hesitate. Sprinting around the back of the building, he bypassed the main entrance and scaled the rusty metal fire escape. He reached the second-floor window, knocking urgently on the glass.
A terrified woman pulled back the curtain—Elena. When she saw Daniel’s face, recognized from news broadcasts as the Whitmore CEO, she threw the window open.
“Mr. Whitmore?” she gasped.
“Where is Noah?” Daniel demanded, stepping into the tiny, warm living room.
From the hallway, a little boy stepped out wearing flannel pajamas, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Daniel felt a lump form in his throat. The boy had Andrew’s unruly wavy hair, his sharp jawline, and those unmistakable, brilliant blue eyes.
“Uncle... Daniel?” the boy whispered softly.
Daniel dropped to one knee, a tear cutting through the rain on his cheek. “You know who I am, buddy?”
“Mommy has a picture of you and Daddy in her drawer,” Noah said innocently. “She said you were a hero.”
Before Daniel could respond, the heavy wooden front door shuddered under a violent kick from outside. The hinges squeaked in protest.
“Elena, grab his shoes!” Daniel barked, pulling off his heavy wool jacket and wrapping it securely around his small nephew. He scooped Noah into his arms, clutching the boy tightly against his chest. “Follow me down the back emergency steps! Right now!”
They scrambled out through the fire escape just as the front door was shattered open. The sound of shouting guards echoed from inside the apartment. Daniel rushed down the slick metal stairs, hustled Elena and Noah into the back seat of his car, locked the doors, and slammed his foot onto the accelerator.
The sports car fishtailed onto the street, leaving the stunned guards standing in the rain.
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As they sped away into the night, Daniel glanced into his rearview mirror. Noah was clinging to Elena, watching the rain streak down the glass.
Daniel tapped his steering wheel, his eyes darkening. “Noah, we’re going to get your daddy back.”
