Chapter 5 - Dangerous Games
Serena knew the net was closing in. From the window of the guest cottage, she saw the flashing red and blue lights of police cruisers turning into the long driveway of the Blackwood estate.
Desperation makes dangerous people lethal.
Serena pulled a small, illegal burn phone from the lining of her luxury handbag—a phone she used for off-the-books transactions. She dialed a contact listed only as 'Vance.'
“They have the footage,” Serena hissed into the receiver, her eyes darting frantically toward the approaching police cars. “Victor knows everything. My life is over unless you carry out the backup plan right now.”
“The price just tripled, Serena,” a cold voice replied on the line.
“I don’t care! I have five million in a Swiss vault. Take out the nanny. If she testifies in court, I go to prison for life. Make it look like an accidental overdose or a hit-and-run while she leaves the hospital!”
“Consider it done.”
Back at the hospital, night had fallen again. Ethan was sleeping peacefully under the effect of mild pain relief. Lily sat beside him, gently stroking his soft golden curls. The door opened, and a nurse wearing a blue surgical mask and carrying a tray of medication stepped into the room.
“Time for Ethan’s IV flush,” the nurse said smoothly.
Lily frowned slightly. “The head doctor said he wouldn’t need another IV flush until 8:00 AM tomorrow.”
The nurse paused, her eyes narrowing behind her mask. “Dr. Vance updated the orders ten minutes ago, miss.”
Lily’s instincts—honed by six months of hyper-vigilance in the Blackwood mansion—instantly raised alarm bells. She noticed the nurse’s gloved hand was trembling slightly, and the badge pinned to her scrub top bore a photo that didn't match the eyes looking back at her.
Lily stood up slowly, positioning herself between the nurse and Ethan’s bed. “Let me double-check with the front desk first.”
The nurse didn't argue. Instead, she reached into her pocket, pulled out a syringe filled with a clear liquid, and lunged directly at Lily!
Lily screamed, grabbing the attacker’s wrist with all her strength. The needle stopped inches from Lily’s neck. The disguised attacker slammed Lily back against the medical monitors, knocking the breath out of her bruised body. Pain exploded in Lily’s ribs, but she held on, kicking wildly at the woman’s shins.
“Let go, you bitch!” the attacker snarled.
Ethan woke up, screaming in terror.
Just as the attacker broke Lily’s grip and raised the syringe to strike, the hospital room door slammed open with terrifying force!
Victor tore into the room like a tempest. He grabbed the attacker by the collar, yanked her away from Lily, and slammed the assassin against the wall with such force the drywall cracked. He disarmed her in one swift motion, twisting her wrist until the syringe shattered on the floor, and pinned her to the ground with a knee in her back.
Security guards flooded the room seconds later, taking control of the intruder.
Victor ignored the attacker, rushing immediately to Lily, who was collapsed against the wall, clutching her stomach and gasping for air.
“Lily!” Victor pulled her into his arms, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs. He held her close, his hand cradling the back of her head. “Are you alright? Look at me!”
“Ethan…” Lily sobbed, leaning into Victor’s broad chest. “Is Ethan safe?”
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Victor looked at his son, who was crying but unharmed in his crib. Then he looked down at Lily—this selfless woman who had just risked her life again to protect his child.
“He’s safe,” Victor whispered, his voice trembling with an emotion he hadn't felt in years. He kissed the top of Lily’s head softly. “You saved him again. You saved both of us.”
