Chapter 8 - The Wolf in Cashmere
Julian bundled Leo into the heated backseat of the mercenary's SUV, wrapping him in heavy wool emergency blankets found in the storage trunk. Maya climbed into the back beside the boy, warming his cold fingers against her neck.
Julian took the wheel, wrestling the massive four-wheel-drive vehicle back onto the highway, heading west away from the city. He dialed a secure number on the mercenary's encrypted comms unit.
The line clicked. "Did you secure the package?" Arthur’s chilling, cultured voice came through the speaker.
Julian felt ice flood his veins. "The package is with me, Father."
Silence hung over the line, heavy and toxic. When Arthur spoke again, the mask of warmth was completely gone. "Julian. You are throwing away an empire for the child of a maid."
"She wasn't a maid to me," Julian growled, eyes locked on the endless white highway ahead. "And you sent killers after her. You had her murdered."
"I protected this family's legacy," Arthur replied coldly. "A scandal of that magnitude would have destroyed the merger with the Ashfords. Clara is devastated, Julian. Come home. Surrender the drive. We will put the boy in a quiet foster home overseas, and we can bury this."
"If you ever come near my son again," Julian whispered, "I will ensure you die in a federal penitentiary."
"You won't make it past the state line," Arthur said, and the call disconnected.
May you like
A GPS alert chimed on the dashboard console. A remote tracking signal had been engaged by Sterling Logistics headquarters.
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