Chapter 9 - The Shadowed AllianceBefore Julian could process the magnitude of Evelyn's words, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
It was a text from Clara:
Arthur knows you left the hotel. He’s furious. He’s calling his head of security right now. Julian, where are you?!
Julian stood up immediately, a cold rage igniting in his chest. "We need to get you out of here. If my father finds out I traced you to this shelter, he'll move you somewhere you can never be found."
Evelyn stood up, grabbing her faded canvas bag. "I’m not running anymore, Julian. I’ve spent thirty years hiding in the shadows, watching you grow up from across the street, in newspaper clippings, in real estate announcements. I came to your wedding because I knew it was my last chance before Arthur locked your life into the Montgomery family forever."
Julian grabbed her hand—the same rough, calloused hand he now remembered holding as a five-year-old boy. "I won't let him hurt you again."
They hurried down the stairs and out into the rain-slicked alley behind the shelter.
As they reached Julian’s Audi, a pair of bright headlights suddenly blinded them from the end of the narrow alley.
An expensive black SUV accelerated down the alleyway, its engine roaring against the brick walls.
"Julian! Look out!" Evelyn screamed.
Julian shoved his mother behind him, bracing for impact as the SUV slammed its brakes, stopping barely three feet away from them.
The driver's side door clicked open.
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Stepping out into the rain holding a heavy black umbrella was not Arthur Vance's security team.
It was Clara.
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