A black dog emerged—thin, limping, but alive.
“Shadow…” Alexander breathed.
The dog ran to him, whining, tail wagging wildly. He dropped to the ground, embracing it, overcome.
But Victoria wasn’t there.
Shadow barked and ran toward a broken wall, urging them to follow.
Inside a small room, Alexander noticed something drawn on the wall—a symbol. A circle crossed by a line.
Their symbol.
“Danger. I’m moving.”
Below it was a metal box.
Inside—a note.
His hands shook as he read:
“Alexander, if you’re reading this, the boy found you. I didn’t die. I had to disappear. They’re after me. I discovered the truth—fraud, laundering. Don’t trust anyone. Especially Marcus. He caused the crash. I’m hurt. I’m heading to the riverside shed. If I don’t make it… I love you.”
Alexander read it again, rage replacing grief.
Marcus.
His lawyer. His closest ally.
A traitor.
“Sir…” Ethan whispered. “A car is coming.”
Alexander looked out.
Men. Armed.
“They followed us,” he said. “Ethan, listen to me. We’re getting out. Stay close. Do you trust me?”
Ethan nodded. “Yes.”
“Run.”
Darkness fell as they slipped through the factory, avoiding beams of light.