Chapter 12
The penthouse of the obsidian high-rise was a masterpiece of modern security, bathed in crisp, neutral white lighting entirely devoid of any warm, muddy yellow tint. The cinematic illumination highlighted the pristine marble floors and the heavy, reinforced steel blast doors that had instantly sealed behind them. Claire carried the sleeping Evan into the interior panic suite, laying him gently on the plush bed before returning to the expansive living area.
Marcus was already laying out heavy, suppressed weaponry on the glass dining table. His fair skin was flushed with adrenaline.
"Who is coming for us, Claire?" Marcus asked, slamming a magazine into an assault rifle.
"His name is Julian Vance," Claire stated smoothly, picking up a customized handgun and checking the chamber with terrifying, practiced efficiency. "Before I met my late husband, I belonged to Julian’s syndicate. He is a ruthless, sociopathic warlord. He trained me. He taught me how to dismantle empires."
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"And Evan?" Marcus asked quietly.
"Julian is Evan's biological father," Claire confessed, her piercing eyes devoid of any emotion. "He never knew I was pregnant when I escaped. The Bennetts thought Evan was their blood. Julian just found out the truth. And he will burn this entire city to ashes to claim him."
