Chương 16: CHAPTER 16
"Skylar, open the door! Please, it's me!" Julian's voice reverberated through the hallway as his frantic knocks sent chills down my spine.
I froze, my fingers clasping tighter at the edge of the counter. It was late, too late for any sane visitor. My instincts yelled not to trust him. But something in his tone-desperation mixed with fear-forced me toward the door.
"Why are you here, Julian?" I asked after unlatching the chain lock through the crack in the door. My heart raced as I peeked out; his face was pale, his usual composure replaced with panic.
"Let me in, Skylar. It's not safe to talk here."
"Not until you tell me what's going on," I insisted, my voice trembling.
"Fine," he hissed, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting someone to appear out of the shadows. "Jasper knows about the twins. He's planning on using them to take control of the family business. You and the babies are in danger, Skylar. Please-I'm begging you-let me in."
His words were like a kick in the stomach. My fingers relaxed on the door as I stepped backward, letting him in. He quickly shut the door behind him and locked it, his hands shaking visibly.
"How does Jasper know? How do you know?" I asked, wrapping my arms around me to conceal how hard I was shaking.
"He's been tracking you," Julian confessed, his hand running through his disheveled hair. "I didn't know until recently, and I swear I wasn't involved. But now. now he's taken things too far."
"Why should I believe you?" I retorted back, my voice angry. "You and Jasper, all cut from the same cloth. Only two things those people understand are manipulation and telling lies."
He took a step closer, his gaze earnest. "I know I've made mistakes, Skylar. I'll spend the rest of my life making up for them if I have to. But right now, we don't have time for this. If you stay here, Jasper will find you. You need to leave, tonight."
I shook my head, backing away. "And go where, Julian? With you? How do I know you're not leading me straight to him?"
His jaw tightened, his shoulders sagging as if my distrust physically hurt him. "I know I don't deserve your trust, but think about the twins. Can you afford to take that chance?"
I hesitated. My instincts screamed to send him away, but my heart whispered that he might be telling the truth. For better or worse, I had to put my children's safety above my pride.
"Alright," I whispered, avoiding his gaze. "I'll go with you. But if I find out you're lying—"
"I'm not," he interrupted, his voice firm. "Pack what you need. Quickly."
I sprang into action to gather the necessities, my head racing. My heart really, really wished to believe Julian, but a little part of me-a big part of me, actually-questioned his story. Was this another trap?
Julian paced near the door, glancing at his watch about every two seconds. He was clearly anxious, looking out the window at every little noise.
"Are you sure this place is safe for now?" I asked, shoving diapers and clothes into a bag.
"No," he admitted. "That's why we need to leave immediately. Jasper's not the type to wait around."
I zipped up the bag and grabbed my coat. Julian held out a hand to take the bag, but I pulled it away, glaring at him. "I'll carry it myself."
He didn't argue, merely opened the door and peered out into the hallway. "Stay close," he said.
The apartment complex was ominously silent as we headed toward the elevator. Already my skin was crawling; every groan of the floorboards seemed to make me jump. Julian punched the button for the lobby, eyes scanning the numbers above the door as it rattled its way down.
When they opened, the lobby was deserted. Julian blew out a sigh of relief and gestured for me to follow him out to the street.
"We'll take my car. It's parked a block away," he whispered, his voice low.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a shiver run down my spine. The streets were too quiet-the kind of quiet that makes you feel like someone is watching you.
We had barely turned the corner when headlights swamped the street in front of us. A sleek black SUV roared up the street, blocking our passage, and then two men in dark suits stepped out with expressions as cold as stone.
A deep voice on the driver's side yelled out, "Going somewhere, Skylar?
I froze, clutching the bag to my chest as Julian stepped protectively in front of me. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the rest of the world.
"Stay behind me," Julian muttered, his hand subtly reaching toward something in his jacket.
One of the men smirked. "You know this doesn't have to get messy, Julian. Just hand her over, and we'll pretend we never saw you."
"Over my dead body," Julian snarled, pulling out a small handgun and aiming it at them.
The tension crackled like static electricity; the streetlamp above us cast eerie shadows. The man who had spoken cocked his head to one side, as if weighing Julian's threat.
"That can be arranged," he said, snapping his fingers.
The second man launched himself at Julian, and bedlam broke out.
I recoiled backward, clutching the bag as Julian fired a warning shot into the air. The noise had been deafening, but it didn't deter the men. They rushed him en masse, forcing him to the ground.
"Run, Skylar!" Julian shouted, struggling under their weight.
My legs felt like lead, but I willfully made them move, darting into a nearby alley. My breath came in ragged gasps as I sprinted down the narrow passage; the bag bounced against my side.
Behind me, I heard the sound of tires screeching and men yelling. I didn't dare look back. My only thought was to get as far away as possible.
Turning a corner, I collided with something solid. Strong hands wrapped around my arms, steadying me. I looked up, my heart sinking as my gaze met Jasper's piercing stare.
"Going somewhere without saying goodbye?" he asked, his voice laced with mockery.
I tried to pull away, but he gripped me tighter. "Let go of me, Jasper."
"Not a chance," he growled, his eyes clouding further. "You're coming with me, Skylar. Willingly or not."
"Never," I spat, fighting him.
He leaned in closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You don't have a choice."
Behind us, Julian's voice rang out, strained but resolute. "Let her go, Jasper."
I turned to him, standing at the mouth of the alley, his gun raised despite the blood trickling down his temple.
Jasper sneered, his grip relaxing just enough for me to step back. "You really think you can stop me, Julian? You're outnumbered and outmatched."
"Try me," Julian said, his finger hovering over the trigger.
The tension was suffocating, the alley thick with unspoken threats. I looked between them, my mind racing. This was my chance to take control, to fight for my freedom.
But before I could act, a car squealed to a stop at the end of the alley. More men spilled out, their faces cloaked in darkness.
Jasper's smile broadened. "Looks like reinforcements have arrived. What's your next move, Julian?"
The standoff hung heavy in the air as each second dragged out an eternity.
"Skylar," Julian said, his voice calm and even despite the odds. "When I say run, you run. Don't look back."
Jasper laughed, cold and chilling. "There's nowhere she can run where I won't find her."
"We'll see about that," Julian shot back, his gaze never wavering.
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