LOGINAmber POVI kept my eyes on the monitor until the man finally shook his head and continued walking. I watched his reflection move past us, followed a few seconds later by the second man. Neither stopped, and neither looked back.Only when they had disappeared into the crowd did Cynthia slowly lower the camera. We both exhaled, almost simultaneously, and I pressed a hand against my chest as I leaned back in my chair."Oh, thank goodness," she whispered, placing the camera on the table. "I was beginning to think that man was going to ask us for identification.""That would have been inconvenient," I admitted."Inconvenient?" She stared at me before laughing nervously. "Mrs. Asher, I think we have very different definitions of that word.""Considering my afternoon, inconvenient is actually a rather generous description."She shook her head, still smiling, although I noticed that her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the camera strap."You handled that remarkably well," I told her
Amber POVThe woman who had been looking between me and the television stood up.I noticed her movement immediately, although I pretended to be occupied with my phone. She was probably in her late twenties or early thirties, with shoulder-length brown hair, a large camera hanging around her neck, and a canvas bag filled with what appeared to be notebooks and newspapers.She glanced at the television one more time before approaching my table.I considered getting up, but the man searching for me was still near the food court entrance. Moving suddenly would only draw attention, and I had no way of knowing whether this woman intended to help me or expose my location.To my surprise, she simply pulled out the chair opposite mine and sat down."Mrs. Asher," she whispered, opening a newspaper and holding it between us and the main walkway. "Please don't look surprised. I'm a reporter, and I promise I'm not here to cause trouble."I stared at her."That's a rather unusual introduction.""I k
Amber POVI had certainly been through more dangerous situations.In fact, considering everything that had happened to me over the past few months, being followed through a shopping mall by armed men should have been relatively low on my list of terrifying experiences.Unfortunately, the human mind had a rather inconvenient habit of reaching its limit at the most unexpected moments. It could accept danger repeatedly, rationalize impossible circumstances, and convince itself that everything was manageable, only to suddenly decide that one more incident was simply too much.Apparently, mine had finally reached that point.Being shot at and having death breathing down my neck while kidnapped by amateurs? My brain had decided that was perfectly manageable. Dangerous, certainly, but nothing I couldn't deal with.Taking back my younger cousin after discovering that another family had been keeping her prisoner? Piece of cake. There had been people to confront, evidence to uncover, and a very
Amber POVI was being corralled.There was no other explanation for the way the SUVs had been moving. Every time I changed direction, another vehicle appeared somewhere ahead, forcing me toward a particular route. Whoever had organized this wasn't simply trying to follow me. They were controlling my options, narrowing them down until I had nowhere left to go.Unfortunately for them, I wasn't particularly fond of following other people's plans."Jason, they're trying to trap me," I said, studying the black SUV positioned across the road ahead."I know. Emory is coordinating with the security team, but they're still several minutes away. I need you to keep moving if you can do it safely.""Moving is exactly what I intend to do.""Amber, that SUV is blocking the road.""Yes, sweetheart. I can see that.""Then don't try to drive through it."I almost laughed. "I wasn't planning to."The road curved around the base of a mountain before descending toward the shopping district. On one side s
Amber POVI activated my right turn signal and checked my mirrors before smoothly changing lanes, putting some distance between my car and the black SUV following me. The driver immediately adjusted his position, confirming that he had no intention of letting me disappear from sight. Ahead, the intersection was approaching, and according to Jason, another SUV was waiting less than two blocks away.I was considering my next move when I heard a baby crying through the phone.It was faint at first, almost drowned out by the sound of Jason typing, but then the crying grew louder, followed by the unmistakable sound of my husband attempting to comfort a very unhappy infant."Come on, little man. What's wrong?" Jason murmured, his voice noticeably softer than it had been a few seconds earlier. "Daddy's right here. There's no need to complain."I smiled despite the circumstances."Which one is it?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road."Lucas. Ethan is sleep
Amber POVI checked my rearview mirror again.It was maintaining a reasonable distance, neither approaching nor falling behind. Whoever was driving knew how to follow someone without drawing too much attention. Unfortunately for them, I had spent enough time dealing with people who wanted something from my family to recognize when a coincidence stopped being one.I reached for my phone and called Jason through the car's hands-free system."Sweetheart?" he answered almost immediately. "Are you close to the estate?""Not yet. Jason, I think someone is following me."His tone changed instantly. "Where are you?""About fifteen minutes from the Asher estate. There's a black SUV behind me. It's followed me through three turns, including one I made specifically to see whether it would.""Don't go to the estate yet," he said. "Stay on the main roads. I'm accessing River City's street cameras."I glanced at the navigation screen. "You're doing that already?""Amber.""Fine. No questions about
I didn’t cry. I didn’t shake. I didn’t look back, or mourned the life and the years i will never get back, lost forever. I just went home, time to pack and say goodbye to my old life. The penthouse doors opened with biometric recognition the moment I stepped inside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Marb
We moved quickly through the hallway. Adrian walked behind me, gun raised, covering the corridor while I forced Henry Watson forward. The mansion was quieter than expected. Too quiet. Which meant either the guards were regrouping… or Jason was already on his way. I glanced over my shoulder.
Jason POV Marcus nearly slammed the brakes. “She shot the camera!” I leaned back slowly. Marcus looked at me. “What the hell was that?” I ran a hand over my face. “She said hello husband before she shot it.” Marcus stared. “…Okay.” Silence filled the car. “…What does that mean exactly?”
Family drama. Honestly, I was getting tired of it. I shifted slightly in the chair, letting the ropes around my wrists rub just enough to make the guards think I was uncomfortable. In truth, they had tied them loosely—political kidnappers rarely knew how to do proper restraints. Across from me,







