Chapter 13 - The Reunion
The gunfire ceased. The penthouse was deathly quiet, filled with the smell of cordite and smoke. Julian’s men secured the perimeter.
“Clear the rooms! Find the girl!” Julian barked, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Clara sprinted past him, ignoring the bodies on the floor. She ran toward the farthest door in the hallway, which was secured with a heavy padlock. Julian stepped up with a breaching shotgun and blew the lock apart.
Clara pushed the door open.
Inside the lavish but barren bedroom, sitting curled up in the corner clutching a frayed blanket, was a five-year-old girl. She had Clara’s dark hair and wide, terrified eyes.
“Lily?” Clara breathed, her voice breaking into a million pieces.
The little girl looked up, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Mommy?”
Clara dropped to her knees, crossing the room and pulling her daughter into a desperate, crushing embrace. She buried her face in Lily’s hair, sobbing uncontrollably. A year of agony, of searching, of dead ends and despair, evaporated in an instant.
Julian stood in the doorway, lowering his weapon. For the first time in his brutal, violent life, the fearsome syndicate boss felt a tear slide down his cheek. He watched the mother and daughter hold each other, and a profound, overwhelming sense of purpose filled his chest.
“We have to go,” Julian said softly, stepping into the room. “My medical team is waiting at the estate. We don't have much time left.”
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Lily peeked over her mother’s shoulder at the tall, intimidating man covered in blood. “Are you a bad guy?” she whispered.
Julian dropped to one knee, looking the little girl in the eye. “I used to be. But today, I am your mother’s shield. Let’s get you home.”
