Chapter 5 - Blood on Silk
Julian spun on his heel with predatory instinct, throwing his forearm up just as the attacker fired. The bullet ripped through Julian's shoulder, spraying dark crimson across the pure ivory fabric of Audrey's bridal dress.
A sharp gasp escaped Julian’s lips, but he didn't collapse. In a single, fluid motion, he lunged into the gunman's space, slamming his pistol grip into the assailant’s jaw. The man stumbled backward with a muffled curse, but recovered quickly, slashing a tactical knife toward Julian's exposed throat.
Audrey didn't hesitate. She grabbed a heavy steel emergency wrench mounted on the garage wall and swung it with all the leverage her athletic frame could muster. The metal connected squarely with the attacker's temple. The man dropped like dead weight, crashing onto the oil-stained concrete.
Julian leaned heavily against the SUV, his hand clamped over his bleeding shoulder, his face pale under the amber garage lamps. He looked at Audrey, then at the wrench in her white-gloved hand, a strained, humorless smile touching his lips.
""Remind me never to cross you in a boardroom negotiation,"" he grunted, breathing hard.
""Save your jokes for the hospital,"" Audrey snapped, tossing the tool aside. She grabbed his arm, steering him into the passenger seat, then slid behind the steering wheel herself. Her pristine wedding dress was ruined—streaked with engine grease, soot, and Julian Vance's blood.
She slammed the SUV into reverse, tires screeching against concrete, just as two more armed men burst through the stairwell doors, spraying automatic fire into the reinforced rear glass of the vehicle. The bullets sparked harmlessly off the bulletproof plating.
Audrey shifted into drive, flooring the accelerator. The heavy vehicle rocketed up the ramp, bursting through the wooden security arm and tearing into the rainy night streets of the financial district.
""Where are we going?"" Audrey glanced at the rearview mirror. Flashing blue lights were already converging on the hotel behind them, but two unmarked black sedans had detached from the curb, trailing them closely. ""The Sterling manor is compromised if Sophia has the political leverage you claim.""
Julian closed his eyes, his breathing shallow. ""Safehouse... north docks. Warehouse 14.""
""That’s Vance territory,"" she countered sharply. ""Why should I trust you? For all I know, you orchestrated this chaos to corner me.""
Julian pulled a thumb drive from his bloodied pocket and dropped it onto the center console between them.
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""Because that drive contains the decryption keys to Michael’s offshore accounts,"" Julian whispered, his head rolling against the leather headrest. ""And the proof that my own father was the one funding him.""
Audrey slammed on the brakes at a red light, turning to him in utter shock. Before she could question him, the SUV was violently hit from the side.
