chapter 20

Chapter 20: Safe Passage

I watched Elena clutch Lily closer as the little girl stirred in her sleep. The woman looked exhausted, and despite the tension between us, I knew she couldn't keep hiding in the bunker forever.

"You and Lily need to leave," I said.

Elena stared at me. "You told me to stay away from your workshop. Now you're telling me to leave the bunker?"

"Because this place is about to become a battleground." I kept my voice low. "I can't promise I'll be able to protect you both when things get worse."

She hesitated, clearly unsure whether to trust me.

I understood her hesitation. I'd threatened to throw her out only hours earlier. But keeping her and Lily here while Derrick and I prepared to break through the blockade would put them in danger. I couldn't afford to let that happen.

I opened the emergency exit and glanced toward the alley. The floodlights were still blazing across the compound, washing the surrounding walls in harsh white light. I couldn't tell whether the sniper was still watching us, but I wasn't willing to take the risk of leaving through the main gate.

"There's a military transit point near the river," I told her. "If it's still operating, you may be able to find help there. Head straight there, and don't stop for anyone who offers you a ride."

Elena looked down at Lily. "What if we can't reach it?"

"Then find somewhere secure and stay out of sight. Don't come back here unless you have no other choice."

I gathered some water and food supplies and handed them to her.

"Take these. They'll help you on the way."

For a moment, Elena looked as if she wanted to ask me something else. Instead, she accepted the supplies and adjusted Lily in her arms.

"Thank you," she whispered.

I nodded toward the exit. "Go. And keep your head down."

She stepped into the alley, then glanced back at me one last time before disappearing into the darkness.

I watched until she was out of sight, then closed and locked the door.

Derrick stood nearby, his expression unreadable.

"You think she'll make it?" he asked.

"I hope so."

I turned away before he could ask anything else. We had enough problems without worrying about people we couldn't protect.

My satellite phone vibrated in my pocket.

Mother.

I answered immediately. "Mother? Are you safe?"

"Evelyn!" Her voice sounded strained. "Where are you? Why did you leave without telling me?"

"I had to get away. Listen to me, you need to stay inside and lock every door. Don't let anyone in."

"That's impossible," she snapped. "Julian is here."

My entire body went still.

"Julian?"

"He arrived with four armored cars and his security team. He brought supplies and medical kits. He says you've run away after your fight and broken off the engagement."

I tightened my grip on the phone.

"Mother, he's lying to you. You cannot trust him."

"He says he's trying to protect this family, Evelyn. He's protecting our factories and making sure we have everything we need. Why would he do that if he wanted to hurt us?"

Because he wanted control. Because he knew exactly how to make himself look like a hero while turning everyone against me.

"Mother, please listen. Don't tell him where I am, and don't go anywhere with him. Keep your doors locked."

There was a pause.

"I don't understand what has happened between you two," she said. "You need to come home and talk to him. You can't keep running away from your responsibilities."

"Mother, this isn't about our engagement anymore. Julian is dangerous."

Before I could say anything else, the call ended.

I stared at the satellite phone, hoping she had simply lost the signal. But the screen showed that the call had disconnected.

"Damn it!" I muttered.

Derrick stepped closer. "What happened?"

I lowered the phone slowly.

"Julian has reached my parents. He's using supplies and medical kits to make himself look like their savior. If they trust him, he'll have access to everything my family owns."

"The factories?"

"All of them. And if he controls my family, he'll have another way to come after me."

Outside, the floodlights continued to illuminate the compound. Somewhere beyond them, the sniper might still be watching.

Julian had already reached my parents. The blockade was still in place, and Derrick and I were preparing to force our way out.

We were running out of time.

And I was beginning to realize that Julian's plan was much bigger than simply trapping me inside the bunker.