Chapter 11 - The Desperate Escape
The cold steel of the gun pressed firmly against Julian’s chest, a chilling reminder of how close he was to the end.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he prepared to pull the hammer back.
"Any last words, Julian?" Arthur asked quietly, his voice devoid of any remaining sentimentality.
Julian didn't answer with words. Instead, he slammed his foot down hard on the heavy brass wastebasket beside the desk, kicking it directly into Arthur’s shins.
Arthur grunted in pain, stumbling forward and losing his balance for a split second.
That micro-second was all Julian needed.
He swung his arm upward, striking Arthur’s wrist with the heavy brass letter opener. The gun flew from Arthur’s hand, clattering loudly across the hardwood floor and sliding underneath the massive mahogany desk.
Arthur cursed, lunging forward to grab Julian by the collar, but Julian countered by driving his elbow backward into Arthur’s ribs.
The older man wheezed, gasping for air as Julian broke free, sprinting toward the open study door.
"Stop him!" Arthur shouted toward the hallway, realizing his backup was waiting outside.
Julian burst into the foyer just as two burly men in dark suits rounded the corner from the grand staircase, blocking his path to the front door.
Without breaking stride, Julian veered sharply to the right, smashing through the antique stained-glass side window that led out to the estate's private courtyard.
The glass shattered in a brilliant cascade of colorful shards, tearing lightly at Julian’s tuxedo jacket as he tumbled out onto the wet cobblestones.
Sharp pain flared in his shoulder, but adrenaline kept him moving. He scrambled to his feet, sprinting toward his car in the pouring rain.
He threw himself into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut and locking it just as the two guards reached the courtyard.
One of them smashed a heavy flashlight against the driver’s side window, cracking the glass into a spiderweb pattern.
Julian jammed the key into the ignition, slammed the gear shift into reverse, and tore out of the driveway, gravel flying in all directions.
He sped down the dark, winding estate road, his heart pounding in his ears, knowing he only had one option left.
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He had to get to Unit 402 before Arthur’s men eliminated Lucy.
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