Chapter 8 - The Ghost of Blackwood
The speedboat struck the muddy bank with a violent crunch of fiberglass and churning silt, spraying cold water and mud over Victoria and her men. Before the guards could raise their weapons, two sharp cracks split the stormy night. Both armed men collapsed into the weeds with cries of agony, clutching shattered knees.
Victoria screamed, dropping her umbrella as the spotlight pinned her against the dark trees.
""Step away from the girl, Victoria,"" a deep, mechanical voice commanded through the boat's loudspeaker.
A figure leaped from the helm of the vessel, landing heavily in the mud. He was clad in black tactical gear, his face obscured by the driving rain and shadow, but the broad shoulders and commanding posture were unmistakable. It was Julian—his face streaked with soot and blood, his velvet coat discarded, but alive.
""Julian?!"" Victoria gasped, stumbling backward in sheer terror. ""You... you were trapped in the vault! Lord Sterling triggered the fire suppression system!""
""My father forgot that I built the backup bypass five years ago when I took over security,"" Julian snarled, advancing on her like an apex predator. He didn't even draw his weapon; the raw fury radiating from him was weapon enough. He snatched the remote detonator from her trembling hand and crushed it beneath his heavy boot.
""Julian, please!"" Victoria pleaded, dropping to her knees in the mud, her high-society vanity stripped away into pathetic whimpering. ""It was your father's idea! He forced me! He said if the girl revealed the truth, our merger would collapse and both our families would be ruined!""
""Get off my land,"" Julian said, his voice flat, devoid of any humanity. ""If I ever see your face in this city again, I will release the banking audit files I took from my father's safe ten minutes ago. You and your entire corrupt family will rot in federal prison for the rest of your lives.""
Victoria didn't wait for a second warning. She scrambled to her feet, kicking off her ruined designer heels, and fled blindly into the dark woods.
Julian turned to Elena. The terrifying darkness in his eyes softened the moment his gaze found her trembling form huddled on the riverbank. He stepped toward her, peeling off his heavy waterproof jacket and wrapping it around her shivering shoulders.
""Are you hurt?"" he asked softly, his rough thumbs brushing damp hair from her forehead.
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""I... I thought you were dead,"" Elena whispered, collapsing against his chest as the shock finally caught up to her.
Julian pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her like iron bands. ""Not until you have your justice, Elena. But we have to move. The police are already on their way to the estate, and they aren't here to help us.""
