Chapter 6 - THE INTERCEPTIONThe rain was pouring down in sheets now.
The wipers of the dark sedan swept back and forth in a frantic rhythm.
Daniel had insisted on driving me himself, but a convoy of security was trailing behind us.
Or so we thought.
“Something’s wrong,” Daniel muttered, squinting into the rearview mirror.
“What is it?” I asked, clutching my bag tightly.
“The backup cars aren't behind us.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“What do you mean?”
“They’ve been cut off,” Daniel said, his voice dropping an octave.
He slammed his foot on the accelerator.
The sedan roared forward down the highway ramp.
Suddenly, a massive black SUV pulled out from the side of the road without headlights.
It slammed directly into our rear quarter-panel, sending us spinning across three lanes of traffic.
“Hold on!” Daniel shouted, fighting the steering wheel.
We crashed hard against the concrete guardrail, the front end crumpled and smoking.
Before Daniel could reach for his sidearm, the doors of the SUV flew open.
Four masked men stepped out into the rain.
Each of them carried silenced pistols.
“Stay down!” Daniel ordered, drawing his weapon.
He kicked his door open and fired two shots through the pouring rain.
One of the men staggered back, but the others kept advancing.
“Daniel!” I screamed.
A window shattered above my head.
Glass rained down into my lap.
One of the masked men grabbed the rear passenger door handle, ripping it open.
He reached inside, grabbing my arm with iron fingers.
“Get out,” a gruff voice barked.
I struggled, kicking back with my boots, but it was useless.
He dragged me out into the freezing rain.
The cold water soaked through my clothes instantly.
“Let her go!” Daniel shouted from the other side of the car, but two men had him pinned against the hood.
“Keep your mouth shut, or the girl gets a bullet right now,” one of the captors warned Daniel.
I was shoved hard into the back seat of the black SUV.
The door slammed shut, locking automatically.
Through the rain-streaked window, I saw Daniel screaming my name as the SUV sped away into the night.
Inside the vehicle, the air smelled of wet leather and cigarette smoke.
In the front seat, the mask came off.
It wasn't a hired thug.
It was Viktor Vance himself.
He turned around in his seat, looking at me through the rearview mirror with cold, calculated eyes.
“Brave little waitress,” Viktor said, his voice smooth and dangerously calm.
“You really think you can play in the big leagues?”
“Let me go,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Where is the key, Hannah?” Viktor asked, leaning his arm over the headrest.
“What key?”
Viktor smiled, but his eyes were dead.
“Gabriel thinks he’s so smart. Keeping his secrets in a bank box.”
He chuckled softly.
“He doesn't realize that I own half the board members at First National Bank.”
My stomach dropped.
He already knew about the safe deposit box.
“You won't get away with this,” I said.
“Girl, I’ve been getting away with things before your parents even met,” Viktor replied smoothly.
“Now, here is how this plays out.”
He pulled a small digital recorder from his coat pocket.
“You are going to call Gabriel. You are going to tell him you left the key at your old apartment.”
“I won't do it.”
Viktor nodded to the man sitting beside me.
The man raised the butt of a pistol and slammed it against the side of the door.
“Next time, it won't be the door,” Viktor said quietly.
May you like
“Call him.”
[CLIFFHANGER: AS HANNAH HOLDS THE PHONE, SHE NOTICES A HIDDEN EMERGENCY CODE ON THE SCREEN THAT GABRIEL SET UP JUST FOR HER.]
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