Chapter 17 - No More Protecting Evelyn
I hated Evelyn.
In that moment, I could admit it.
She had humiliated me, framed me, stolen my identity, struck me, and spent years teaching my husband that loving her meant failing me.
But I did not want her dead.
That was the difference between us.
"You stay outside," she told me.
"He asked for me."
"And kidnappers don't set the rules."
Daniel squeezed my hand.
This time I let him.
Robert called again.
"Send Emma in."
Ortiz refused.
A crash sounded over the phone.
Evelyn screamed.
I took the envelope.
"I'm going."
Daniel blocked me. "No."
"If we waste ten minutes arguing, he could hurt her."
"After what she did to you?"
"This isn't for her. It's for me. I am not becoming someone who watches and does nothing."
He understood exactly what I meant.
His face broke.
"Then I'm coming."
Ortiz cursed both of us, fitted us with hidden microphones, and allowed us as far as the loading bay while tactical officers moved into position.
Robert stood fifty feet away.
Evelyn was tied to a chair beside him.
"The documents," he said.
I held up the envelope.
"Let her go."
"First I verify them."
"No."
He smiled. "You negotiate like my father."
"From what I've read, your father didn't need hostages."
His smile vanished.
Evelyn looked at me with mascara streaked down her face.
"Emma," she whispered, "don't give him anything."
I almost laughed at the absurdity.
Then Robert pulled a pistol from his coat.
Daniel stepped in front of me.
"Dad."
"Move."
"No."
Robert raised the gun.
And Evelyn did something none of us expected.
She kicked the chair backward into Robert's knees.
May you like
The gun fired.
Daniel dropped.
