Chapter 4 - The Fortress on 5th Avenue
Within ten minutes, a black armored SUV pulled up into the dark alley behind Laurent’s.
Frank Vance—no relation to Richard—a former Delta Force operator who had served as William’s personal security chief for a decade, held the heavy metal door open.
"Get in," Frank ordered, scanning the rooftops with a thermal scope. "We've got two scout vehicles sitting at the end of the block. Richard Vance brought a full team."
Emma scrambled into the leather backseat, pulling Noah tightly against her chest. William slid in beside her, slamming the heavy reinforced door shut. The SUV roared to life, its bulletproof tires screeching against the wet pavement as it peeled out into the rainy Manhattan traffic.
"Where are we going, Mr. Parker?" Emma asked, her voice small, her fingers clutching the seatbelt.
"To my apartment," William replied, watching the rear side mirror as a dark sedan swung out of an alley behind them, matching their speed. "It's a penthouse on Fifth Avenue. It has dedicated elevator access, biometric locks, and round-the-clock security. You'll be safe there."
"They won't stop," Emma whispered, staring out the tinted window at the pursuing headlights. "They took our apartment. They took my mother's papers. The only thing I have left is this."
She reached inside her frayed sweater and pulled out a small, tarnished silver locket hanging from a thin steel chain around her neck.
"What is that?" William asked.
"My mother told me never to open it unless I was sitting in front of a judge," Emma said. "She said inside is the key to Noah's bloodline. The Sterling trustees know I have it. That's why Richard Vance has been hunting us across three states."
Frank glanced into the rearview mirror, his face tense. "Boss, the sedan behind us just signaled two trailing SUVs. They're trying to box us in before we hit the park."
William reached into the glove compartment, pulling out an encrypted satellite phone. "Frank, take the tunnel detour. We aren't going to the penthouse."
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"Where to, sir?"
"The legal vault at Parker Global Industries," William said, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "If they want a fight over this child, we're going to give them one on my terms."
