CHAPTER 12: THE RUSH FOR SURVIVAL
They sprinted back toward the master suite, the sound of distant gunfire echoing from the lower floors.
“How many men are inside?” Clara yelled over the noise, her heart practically beating out of her chest.
“Too many,” Julian replied coldly, violently reloading his gun as they ran.
They reached the heavy bedroom door, and Julian shoved his key into the lock, throwing it open.
Leo was sitting exactly where Clara had left him on the bed, perfectly safe but trembling in absolute terror.
He couldn’t hear the gunfire, but he could feel the terrifying vibrations shaking the walls.
Clara rushed over and scooped the little boy into her arms, pressing his face into her neck.
I have you, she signed quickly against his back. Do not look up.
“There’s a secret staircase behind the closet,” Julian commanded, gesturing with his weapon. “It leads straight to the underground garage.”
“You’re coming with us, right?” Clara asked, her voice cracking as she saw the dark look crossing his face.
Julian walked over and gently pressed his bloodstained forehead against hers.
“I have to buy you time,” Julian whispered, his thumb tracing the tear sliding down her cheek. “I have to kill the men who let them inside.”
“No!” Clara cried out, grabbing the lapels of his suit jacket. “You can’t stay behind! They’ll kill you!”
“If I don’t stop them here, they will hunt you and my son to the ends of the earth,” Julian stated, his voice absolute and unyielding.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a heavy, compact silver handgun.
He pressed it firmly into Clara’s trembling hands.
“The safety is off,” Julian instructed, forcing her fingers around the metal grip. “If anyone who isn’t me opens that garage door, you pull this trigger until it clicks empty.”
Would you have the strength to pull the trigger to save an innocent child, even if it meant becoming a killer yourself?
Clara looked down at the gun, the terrifying weight of reality finally crushing her.
“Julian, please,” she begged, tears spilling over her eyelashes.
Julian kissed her hard, a bruising, desperate collision of terror and overwhelming love.
“Go, Clara,” he ordered against her mouth. “Keep my son safe.”
