Chapter 8 - THE SHADOW IN THE HALLWAY
Two armed men in black tactical uniforms stepped into the penthouse, pointing silenced pistols directly at Mr. Cole.
"Julian sent his regards, Cole... he appreciates you bringing the mother and child straight to a private location," Victoria mocked.
Mr. Cole stood his ground, stepping directly between the armed men and Clara, his face an unreadable mask of stone.
"You won't get away with this in my personal residence, Victoria... the FBI has this penthouse under live audio monitoring," Cole bluffed.
Victoria laughed maliciously, a sharp, grating sound that echoed off the high glass windows of the luxury suite.
"The FBI is currently busy investigating a major fire in the hotel basement, Cole... nobody is coming to save you," she spat.
Suddenly, baby Maya began to cry, her high-pitched wails filling the tense, air-conditioned silence of the room.
Clara backed up against the floor-to-ceiling glass window, looking down at the hundred-foot drop to the street below.
"Give me the child, Clara, and I’ll ensure you receive a comfortable monthly stipend for the rest of your life," Victoria offered smoothly.
"I would rather die than give my daughter to a monster like you!" Clara spat back, her eyes blazing with fierce maternal fury.
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Mr. Cole subtly kicked the leg of a heavy brass floor lamp, sending it crashing violently into the lead gunman’s knees.
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