Chapter 48
[Chapter 48: Three-Way Crossfire]
“Get down!” Ethan screamed, lunging forward and tackling Lauren and Noah into the wet asphalt as a second bullet struck the rear door of the SUV.
The parking lot erupted into absolute chaos. Firefighters and social workers screamed, scattering in every direction as emergency sirens wailed.
Ethan scrambled up, pulling Noah out of Lauren’s grip. Noah was terrified, crying out, “Daddy! Daddy!”
“I’ve got you, buddy! I’ve got you!” Ethan cheered, holding the boy tight against his chest.
He looked toward the source of the gunfire. Standing on the fire escape of the building across the street, holding a high-powered hunting rifle, was Aunt Clara.
But she wasn't acting alone. Standing behind her, holding a cell phone with a live video feed, was Patricia’s corporate defense lawyer. Patricia had orchestrated the hit from her jail cell, utilizing the remnants of the Miller family loyalty to eliminate Lauren and secure the child before the Swiss trust could be locked forever.
“Ethan! Give me the boy or she fires again!” Clara shouted down from the fire escape, her hands shaking but the rifle remained leveled.
Lauren scrambled up from the pavement, blood dripping from a scrape on her cheek. She pulled a compact pistol from her paramedic vest, aiming it directly at Clara.
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Ethan stood in the center of the wet parking lot, holding a crying three-year-old child, caught in a deadly crossfire between the wife who had deceived him and the mother who had abandoned him.
“Enough!” Ethan roared, his voice echoing over the sirens. “Both of you stop!”
