Chapter 7
Glass shattered inward.
Adrian reached through the broken frame and unlocked the door.
He wrenched it open and threw himself inside the moving car.
He landed on top of the man sitting beside Noah.
The man yelled and tried to grab Adrian.
Adrian struck him once, hard.
The man slumped back.
The driver turned, reaching for something under his seat.
Adrian grabbed the steering wheel.
The car swerved wildly across the road.
“STOP THE CAR!” Adrian roared.
The road curved sharply ahead.
The driver fought for control.
Adrian saw the cliff edge looming through the rain.
“LET GO!” the driver screamed.
“STOP OR WE ALL DIE!” Adrian shouted.
Noah was crying hysterically in the middle seat.
Adrian released the wheel and grabbed Noah, shielding him with his own body.
The driver slammed on the brakes.
The car skidded across the wet road.
Spun in a full circle.
And came to a stop, inches from the guardrail.
Silence.
Only the sound of rain and heavy breathing.
Adrian lifted his head.
He held Noah tight.
They were alive.
The driver turned around, face twisted with rage.
“You have no idea what you have done. She will destroy you.”
Adrian stared at him.
“Get out.”
The man hesitated.
“GET OUT!” Adrian yelled.
The driver and the other man climbed out into the rain.
Adrian slid across the seat and took the wheel.
He locked the doors.
He looked at Noah.
The boy was shaking uncontrollably.
Adrian pulled him into a hug.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you, Noah. You’re safe.”
Noah buried his face in Adrian’s chest.
“Why does Grandma hate us?”
Adrian’s heart broke.
He stroked Noah’s wet hair.
“She doesn’t hate you. She just… wants things her own way. But I will never let her take you away. Never.”
Adrian put the car in gear.
He drove away from the estate.
Away from Vivian.
He had no plan.
No money.
No allies.
But he had Noah.
And that was enough.
He looked in the rearview mirror.
Headlights were coming up fast behind them.
Two cars.
May you like
Closing in.
Vivian had sent more men.
