The morning that was supposed to bring peace and relief quickly turned into chaos. Tom and Anna had barely caught a breath when they learned that their enemies were closing in on them. But worse, the very people hunting Tom now knew about Anna — his weakness. They were targeting her, and it was only a matter of time before they struck.
The situation was growing increasingly dire, and time was not on their side. Mark's call had ended abruptly. Tom didn't respond — he just sat in silence for a few moments, his face unreadable. He took a slow sip of water, then lit a cigar, his movements calm but deliberate. A storm was on the horizon, and yet, he remained unshaken.
Without a word, they made their way to the elevator, then out to the basement parking lot. The air was thick with tension, but there was no sign of their pursuers just yet. Tom's instincts were sharp, though — something felt off. He could sense it, the quiet before the storm.
As they reached Tom's car, he scooped Anna up in his arms, bridal style, aware of how weak and fragile she seemed in that moment. He placed her gently in the passenger seat, buckling her in with swift, careful hands. His heart was pounding, but his expression remained stone-cold. Without hesitation, he slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and pushed the car into motion.
The city streets blurred as he accelerated, the engine roaring with raw power. But something gnawed at him — a subtle unease that deepened as the seconds passed. He knew they were being followed. They had to make it to the mansion, the only place that felt like a true safe haven. But the enemies were closing in fast.
Suddenly, gunshots rang out. Bullets peppered the car, but Tom didn't flinch. He grabbed the gun from the shelf, his focus razor-sharp. With one fluid motion, he twisted the wheel and fired — the bullet striking the driver of the enemy vehicle before hitting the tires. The car screeched to a halt, immobilized. Just like that, they were safe… for now.
But Tom didn't slow down. He drove at breakneck speed, weaving through the streets with ruthless precision. He couldn't afford to let anyone trace them. The seconds stretched into eternity as he raced toward the mansion, where the security was impenetrable, and the walls were lined with guards.
Anna, meanwhile, was still reeling from the tension. Her mind raced, thoughts jumping from one fear to the next. She could feel the danger closing in, even if she couldn't see it. She could feel the panic creeping up, but Tom's presence, his strength, kept her grounded. As much as she tried to hold on to some semblance of calm, her body betrayed her. Her hands trembled, and her breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.
But there was a strange sense of relief when they finally reached the mansion — the sight of the high, secure walls, the armed guards, the fortress-like security. For the first time in what felt like forever, Anna allowed herself a brief moment of peace. They were here. They were safe, at least for now.
The car came to a halt, and Mark was waiting by the gates with a few of their trusted men. But Anna barely registered the sight of him, her mind still caught in the whirlwind of what had just happened. All she could do was hold her breath and pray that the storm had passed.