Chapter 10 - The Ambush at the Ridge
The blinding high-beam headlights of the two armored SUVs tore through the pine trees, their heavy diesel engines roaring as they smashed over the underbrush and cut off any escape route down the forest track. The vehicles bore the matte black insignia of Sterling Private Security—a stylized silver falcon with its talons clenched around a globe.
"Ambush! They anticipated the bypass!" the tactical operative shouted, diving behind the rear wheel of the transport vehicle and raising her rifle.
"Hold your fire unless they shoot first," Aiden commanded, stepping smoothly in front of Elena and pushing her back toward the passenger door of his sedan. "Marcus wants us alive to recover that briefcase. Use that to our advantage."
Before Aiden could finish his sentence, the doors of the leading SUV slammed open. Four heavily armed security guards poured out, clad in tactical body armor and balaclavas, their assault rifles raised and leveled directly at the clearing.
Stepping out from behind the lead vehicle, smoothing the lapels of his immaculate gray wool overcoat, was Marcus Vance. His face was a mask of cold, collected menace. He didn't look like a corporate attorney anymore; he looked like an enforcer executing a wet-work contract.
"Aiden Cross," Marcus called out, his voice carrying clearly over the idling roar of the truck engines. "I must admit, I didn't expect a high-flying venture capitalist to moonlight as a common getaway driver for a runaway bride. Step away from the vehicle with your hands where I can see them."
Thomas Vance stepped out from the shadows near the tactical transport, resting his double-barreled shotgun casually across his forearm. "You've gotten soft in your old age, Marcus. You used to use local judges to do your dirty work. Now you're sending rented thugs into state parks?"
Marcus’s eyes flicked toward Thomas, a momentary flash of genuine shock crossing his features before he regained his icy composure. "Inspector Vance. The police department closed your missing persons file a decade ago. It’s a shame you couldn't stay hidden in whatever hole you crawled into."
"I was waiting for the right moment to watch your empire burn, Marcus," Thomas replied evenly, his voice devoid of fear. "And the kindling is already lit. Look at your phone."
Marcus frowned, slowly reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out his encrypted smartphone. As he unlocked the screen, the notification banner exploded with dozens of urgent alerts—missed calls from the corporate PR director, frantic texts from Julian, and a breaking news alert from a major national network featuring a live feed of the grand foyer inside the Sterling mansion.
Color drained rapidly from Marcus's face. The cool, calculated aura vanished, replaced by a sudden, frantic desperation.
"You broadcasted the compliance logs," Marcus whispered, his voice tightening with venom. He snapped his head up, glaring directly at Elena. "You stupid, ungrateful girl. You have no idea what forces you've just unleashed upon your family."
"My family was destroyed twelve years ago by men like you," Elena stepped out from behind Aiden, her voice ringing clear and steady through the quiet forest clearing. She raised her chin, her eyes flashing with a fierce, uncompromising resolve that made even the armed guards hesitate. "The trial starts tomorrow, Marcus. And this time, there are no fire escapes."
May you like
Marcus raised his hand slowly, signaling the guards to lift their weapons. "Kill them," he rasped quietly.
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