Hello Seattle.

CHAPTER 2

Emily’s boots splashed into a deep puddle, the freezing water soaking through her socks. The wind shrieked through the tall pine trees, ripping the hood of her black hoodie off her head and slapping wet strands of hair across her face.

She didn't stop. She couldn't.

She ran along the dark, winding roads of the exclusive Portland suburb where Victor’s estate sat like a fortress. Up here in the hills, there were no sidewalks, no streetlights, and tonight, no visibility.

Just make it to the transit station, she repeated to herself like a mantra, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Get to the Seattle train.

Her hand pressed against her backpack strap, anchoring the stolen files against her chest. Every shadow made her flinch. If Victor's guards realized she was gone ahead of schedule, this stretch of highway would become a trap. She had to stay off the grid entirely.

A sudden cramp flared in her belly. She stumbled, her boot losing traction on the muddy shoulder of the road. She caught herself on a guardrail, her heart hammering against her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut against the stinging wind, forcing herself to breathe through the sharp ache.

Just hold on, she thought, leaning against the cold metal rail for three agonizing seconds before forcing her legs to move again. Twenty minutes later, the neon lights of the Portland Amtrak station cut through the storm. She slipped inside, keeping her head low, blending into the small crowd of late-night travelers just as the final boarding call for the midnight express train to Seattle echoed through the overhead speakers.

At the automated kiosk, a tired-looking man in his fifties stepped beside her. “Miss, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Emily’s fingers tightened on the cash. “Just trying to get home,” she muttered, avoiding his eyes. She quickly bought the ticket and hurried to the platform.

She found a seat in the back corner of the dimly lit train, pressing her body close to the window. Her hands trembled as she struggled to zip her backpack shut.

As the train groaned and began to roll out of the station, She stared out into the rain-streaked glass, the bright glare of an illuminated billboard looking back at her. She froze, air refusing to leave her lungs.

Towering over the highway was Victor's face. It was an advertisement, displaying his flawless smile under a bold headline celebrating the upcoming merger. He looked completely invincible.

Her stomach twisted. For a terrifying second it felt like those eyes were looking back at her. She pressed a hand over her mouth.

You think you own me, she thought, her fear twisting into a defensive anger as the train sped up, leaving the billboard behind in the dark. But tomorrow morning, you are going to find out what happens when your placeholder walks away.

A middle-aged woman across the aisle leaned over. “First time to Seattle, honey? You seem nervous.”

Emily forced a small smile. “Something like that.”

The woman returned to her book. Emily looked away.

Once upon a time, she had people who worried about whether she had eaten.

Now she had nobody.

She let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes.

When the train crossed into Washington, she looked out at the darkness rushing past the window.

Oregon was behind her.

Victor was behind her.

For the first time in eleven months, she could breathe.

Three hours later, they arrived at Seattle’s King Street Station. She hurried off, avoiding the woman who had spoken to her.

Exhausted and starving, she pulled her soaked hoodie tighter. Spotting a glowing café sign across the wide avenue, she stepped off the curb.

A black security vehicle cruised slowly down the street. Her heart lurched. Was it Victor’s men already? She turned her head, hiding her face, pulse racing as the car passed.

The wind drove rain into her eyes, blurring everything. Halfway across the street, a wave of dizziness crashed over her. The world tilted. She dropped to one knee on the wet asphalt, chest heaving, body refusing to obey.

Suddenly, the roar of a powerful engine cut through the sound of the storm. A black luxury SUV rounded the corner, its headlights cutting through the sheets of rain. The vehicle was moving fast on the slick city street.

The driver didn't see her until it was too late.

The sudden screech of the brakes tore through the night, fighting against wet asphalt as the vehicle slid sideways, hurtling toward her.

Emily threw a hand over her stomach as she crumpled to the floor.