Chapter 13 - THE HOUSE OF ASHES
The Ashford estate burned beneath the night sky.
Flames climbed the walls.
Windows exploded.
Guards ran through the gardens.
Adrian jumped from the vehicle before it stopped.
“Where is Marcus?”
No one answered.
He entered the house.
Smoke filled the hallways.
“ELENA!”
“I’m here!”
Her voice came from the east wing.
Adrian ran.
He found Elena beside her mother.
Daniel was carrying a wounded guard.
“Get out!”
“We can't.”
“Why?”
“Elena's father is trapped upstairs.”
Adrian looked up.
A section of the ceiling collapsed.
He ran toward the staircase.
Elena grabbed him.
“Adrian!”
He turned.
“I'll bring him back.”
He disappeared into the smoke.
The upper floor was burning.
Daniel was trapped inside the old study.
Adrian kicked the door open.
Daniel was unconscious beneath a fallen beam.
Adrian lifted it.
The fire grew closer.
Daniel opened his eyes.
“Leave me.”
“Not happening.”
“You have to go.”
Adrian pulled him free.
They moved toward the window.
Then a figure appeared through the smoke.
Marcus.
Adrian stopped.
Marcus held a gun.
“Put him down.”
Adrian stared.
“You did this.”
Marcus looked devastated.
“I didn't have a choice.”
“Everyone says that.”
Marcus's eyes filled with tears.
“They have my son.”
Adrian went still.
Marcus continued.
“Richard took him three years ago.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because every time I tried, they sent me a piece of him.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“Then help me.”
Marcus shook his head.
“If I don't obey, he dies.”
Adrian lowered his weapon.
Marcus looked at him.
“I'm sorry.”
He raised his gun.
A shot rang out.
Marcus fell.
Adrian turned.
Caleb stood behind him.
“You killed him.”
Caleb shook his head.
“He was aiming at you.”
Adrian looked at Marcus.
The man was dead.
On the floor beside him was a small photograph.
A young boy.
And on the back:
THEY HAVE HIM IN THE BLACKWATER FACILITY.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
Then he looked at Caleb.
“Where is Blackwater?”
Caleb's face changed.
“Not far.”
“Where?”
“Under the city.”
Adrian looked toward the burning estate.
His home was gone.
His family was broken.
His enemies had taken everything.
But somewhere beneath New York, a child was being held hostage.
Adrian turned toward the exit.
“We're going.”
Elena stepped beside him.
“I'm coming.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“This is dangerous.”
“So is everything else.”
Adrian looked at her.
Then nodded.
Behind them, the Ashford mansion collapsed into flames.
And beneath the ruins, a hidden room survived.
Inside that room, Richard Hale opened a metal box.
The Black Ledger was not there.
He smiled.
“Adrian has it.”
May you like
A voice answered from the darkness.
“Then bring me the boy.”
