The First Strike

Chapter 18

Alice

The day after I saw that disastrous headline was supposed to be a happy one for Leo. His school had planned a museum field trip… something he’d been talking about for weeks.

But I let my instincts get the better part of me.

I could no longer trust the school to keep him safe. Not after everything. If anything happened to him, I wouldn’t survive the guilt. I had to take him myself.

“I’ll take him to the museum,” I told George as we prepared to leave that morning.

He froze, his expression shifting to stunned concern. “Why?” His brows pulled together in confusion. “I thought the school provided a bus to take the kids there and back.”

“I know,” I replied with a nod.

“Then why insist on stressing yourself out like this?”

“I’m not stressing myself, George!” I snapped, my temper flaring before I could stop it. “Leo is my son—my responsibility. If anything happens to him, I’ll never forgive myself. And I won’t forgive you either.”

That ended the discussion.

George didn’t argue anymore. He simply nodded, defeated, as he walked us to the driveway. “Call me if anything happens.”

“Sure,” I muttered over my shoulder as I slid into the driver’s seat, not bothering to look back.

Leo climbed in beside me, his face lit up with excitement. “Mom, I can’t wait to see all those legendary artworks we see in movies!”

I glanced at him and forced a smile. “Of course, sweetheart. You’re going to have the best day.”

“Yay!” he squealed, bouncing in his seat, completely undisturbed by the fact that I had refused to let him ride the school bus with his friends.

We had barely driven a few miles when his small voice broke the silence.

“Mom?” he asked softly. “There’s a car behind us. Is daddy coming with us?”

A chill ran through me.

I glanced into the rearview mirror… and my heart nearly stopped.

A black car was following us closely. Panic surged through me the moment I took a closer look at it. I knew that car. It was the same one that had followed us to the hotel when I was trying to get away from George.

It wasn’t George’s. He hadn’t mentioned coming, and the car didn’t resemble his in any way.

My heart raced as the realization sank in.

It was Thomas.

Before I could react, the car accelerated, swerving sharply and blocking our path. Doors flew open, and masked men jumped out, weapons raised, their movements fast and deliberate.

“Open the damn door,” one of them shouted, pointing a gun straight at us. “Or I swear I’ll blow your head off!”

My heart slammed violently against my chest. Without thinking, I pulled Leo into my arms, clutching him tightly… as if my body alone could shield him from the monsters closing in on us.

The men slammed their fists hard against the door, their faces grim and aggressive. Just then, a voice echoed behind them.

“That’s enough, boys. I’ll handle this myself.”

They stepped aside immediately, clearing the path, and that was when I saw him…Thomas.

He smirked the moment our eyes met, his lips stretching into a cruel, knowing smile.

“Well, well,” he muttered as he strolled towards the car, his hands buried in his pockets. “Seems we meet again. You really haven’t changed at all.”

His words hit me like bits of ice.

After all these years, he was the last person I ever expected to see… and now he was standing right in front of me, staring straight into my soul.

His gaze drifted to Leo, and a smug smile curved his lips.

“Is that my little boy?” he asked, stepping closer for a better look.

“I’m not your son, old man!” Leo shouted from his seat. “My daddy is at home!”

A chill ran down my spine. I braced myself for Thomas’s anger… but to my shock, he didn’t lash out. Instead, his smile widened as he leaned closer to the car.

“Poor child,” he said softly, his voice dripping with fake concern. “I’m sure your mother hasn’t told you about me. Now let me clear things up, son… I’m your real father, and I’ve come to take you home. You must miss it, don’t you?”

“Get the hell away from my son!” I screamed, tightening my grip around Leo like a shield.

But that wasn’t enough.

Thomas waved his hand subtly, signaling his men. In seconds, they stormed the car, swinging the door open.

They grabbed Leo and dragged him out, ignoring his desperate screams and cries.

I dashed after them, reaching for my son, but strong hands seized me from behind, pinning me in place.

I struggled helplessly, my heart breaking as I faced Thomas.

“Please! Let him go. Take me instead!”

A cold smirk spread across his face as he stepped closer, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You’re of no use to me, Alice. The only person I came for is the boy.”

He turned away, clasping his hands behind his back.

“So step aside… unless you want me to force you.”

“Let me go, you monster!” Leo screamed, fighting against the men holding him.

“Easy, son,” Thomas said calmly, turning to him. “Daddy’s going to take good care of you.”

“Not on my watch!”

A powerful voice echoed from behind us. Everyone froze as George approached, armed men positioned behind him.

Leo broke free the moment he saw him.

“Daddy!” he cried, running straight into George’s arms.

Thomas’s smile vanished, replaced by a dark scowl.

“Well, if it isn’t my irresponsible son… trying to steal what’s mine. What are you doing here, George?”

“I should be asking you that,” George replied coldly. “Back to finish what you started six years ago, aren't you?”

“You ungrateful bastard!” Thomas roared, raising his gun. “Get out of my way, or I won’t hesitate to take you down!”

My heart dropped.

How could he speak that way to his own son?

Seeing the deadly determination in his eyes, I collapsed to my knees in front of George.

“Please,” I begged. “Let him go with the boy. We can come back for him later.”

“No,” George snapped. “That’s not happening. Stay out of this, Alice. It’s time this man learned his place.”

“Go rot in hell!” Thomas snarled, firing the gun.

I sprang forward without thinking, throwing myself in front of George.

“Noooo!”

A loud scream rang in my ears… and before I could tell who it was, everything went blank.