Chapter 16 - The Ultimatum
We reached the safe house thirty minutes later.
It was a heavily fortified compound disguised as a luxury cabin in the woods.
Adrian arrived ten minutes after us in a helicopter.
He burst through the front door, his face pale and terrifying.
He didn't say a word.
He just dropped to his knees and pulled all four boys into a crushing hug.
I stood by the fireplace, my adrenaline finally crashing.
My hands were shaking so badly I had to put them in my pockets.
Once the boys were settled in the living room with a movie and three heavily armed guards, Adrian grabbed my arm.
He pulled me into the empty kitchen and shut the heavy oak door.
"You're leaving," Adrian stated, his voice completely hollow.
I blinked, confused.
"What?"
"I'm wiring five million dollars into your account tonight," he continued, pacing the floor like a caged animal.
"You and Maya are taking a private jet to Europe tomorrow morning."
"You will have new identities and security for the rest of your lives."
Anger flared in my chest, hot and fast.
"You're firing me?" I asked, my voice rising.
"I am saving your life!" Adrian yelled, finally losing his iron control.
He slammed his hands down on the kitchen island.
"Lorenzo Moretti set that trap today, Nia."
"He realized you are the weakness."
"He realized that if he hurts you, it destroys me and the boys."
Adrian walked toward me, his dark eyes filled with absolute agony.
"I can't lose you, Nia," he whispered.
"If something happens to you because of me, I will burn this city to the ground, and then I will end myself."
"So you have to go."
"Where I can't ruin you."
May you like
I stared at the most terrifying man in Chicago.
He was trying to push me away to save me.
