bChapter /bb246 /b

    ADRIAN’S POV

    23

    I had toe up with a n – something quick, subtle, and effective to get this guy away from Charlie. If I could just find a way to separate us, even for a short while, I was confident I could take him down, gun or no gun. But Charlie had to be somewhere safe first. Thest thing I wanted was for a kid to be caught in the middle if things got ugly.

    I scanned the hallway as we moved, eyes darting to every corner, every door, every potential escape or hiding spot. There wasn’t much. Whoever nned this had been smart – they’d locked the ce down tight.

    Then it hit me. The restroom.

    I came to a sudden stop, making sure it was abrupt enough to get his attention. Predictably, the cold tip of his rifle pressed

    hard into the middle of my back.

    “Why did you stop moving?” His voice was sharp and irritated.

    I took a slow breath, trying to keep my tone casual. “You’re taking me to the main hall where everyone is, right? We don’t know how long we might be stuck there. Can we… You know… use the restroom first? I’ve been holding it for a while. And

    I’m sure the little guy here’s been holding his too.”

    As I said it, I gave the smallest, most discreet tap on Charlie’s hand with my finger, hoping he’d catch on. I didn’t dare look at him directly too risky to give the game away.

    –

    The man scoffed. “You think I’m a fool? Or do you think you’re in some kind of movie? Keep moving before you actually

    take yourst breath.” He shoved me forward with the rifle, the jab sharp enough to make me stumble.

    I steadied myself and spoke again, keeping my tone reasonable but just a little defiant. “Look, I don’t think you’re a fool. I’m sure you know exactly who I am. I don’t know how long your little act here is going tost, but do you really expect me to… pee on myself… in front of everyone? Come on, man. We’re both men here. Even you wouldn’t do something like that, not to talk of someone of my status.”

    For a moment, I thought he’d refuse again. Then, unexpectedly, Charlie piped up with perfect timing. “And I have to go too.” His small voice was nervous but steady enough to sound convincing.

    That, apparently, was the nail in the coffin. The masked man nced at the watch on his wrist, muttering something under his breath. He clearly didn’t like the idea, but he didn’t want to risk dealing with a crying child either.

    “Fine,” he finally said, his tone clipped. “You have three minutes. If you’re not out in three minutes, I’lle in and get you

    myself.”

    I smiled — big, exaggerated, and sarcastic. “Thank you very much, my good man,” I said dramatically, making a little bow as he gestured toward the far end of the hall with his rifle.

    We began walking in the direction he/pointed, Charlie staying close to my side. I kept my steps calm, not too fast, not too slowi, /ias my mind worked through the next move.

    The truth was, neither of us needed the restroom. My dder was fine, and judging by the boy’s steady breathing, he was too. But my phone, my lifeline was still in my pocket, and this idiot clearly hadn’t noticed. If I could just find a way to get a

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    09:40 Satb, /b30 Aug

    few seconds alone, I could call themissioner. Or Dan. Whoever was closer could get here faster.

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    That was the entire point of the lie. If I could just get that short window… even ten seconds… it would be enough to start turning this around.

    Of course, there was still the possibility that this guy wouldn’t give us privacy that he’d follow us right into the restroom. But if he did, I’d improvise. I always did.

    We got to the restroom and he stopped right at the doorway, his gloved hand gripping Charlie’s small arm firmly. The movement wasn’t rough enough to hurt him, but it was controlling – a reminder of who was in charge.

    “One at a time,” the guy ordered, his voice cold and impatient. “And your three minutes start now.”

    I let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled my eyes, like a man being inconvenienced by a security guard at an airport, not someone holding us at gunpoint. “Fine,” I muttered, stepping inside.

    The restroom smelled faintly of cleaning supplies, though it was obvious it hadn’t been touched in a few hours – the air was stale, and a faint drip echoed from one of the sinks. I scanned the ce quickly, looking for any possible exits or security cameras. Nothing that could help me here.

    I made my way all the way to thest stall, the one farthest from the door. The extra distance was crucial – the farther I

    was from him, the less he’d hear. My movements were fast but precise, pulling my phone from my pocket like I was reaching for a tissue. I hit the call button for themissioner, my voice low and urgent the second he picked up.

    I spoke quickly, giving him a rough overview of the situation – armed men inside ke Enterprise, civilians locked in the

    main hall, “Send whoever’s closest, and be discreet. If they hear sirens before you’re ready to act, we’re dead.”

    Once the information was out, I didn’t waste time. I pulled the SIM card out with my fingernail, dropped the phone into the toilet, and hit the flush. The cheap stic disappeared into swirling water. If they searched meter and they probably would I couldn’t afford them finding proof that I’d been in contact with the outside.

    When I stepped out, I stered on a bored look, like I’d really just gone in to relieve myself and not to set a rescue in motion. Charlie was waiting quietly, his wide eyes flicking between me and the masked man.

    “Your turn, little man,” I said lightly, trying to keep my tone calm. Charlie nced up at our captor, who released his arm reluctantly, as if he thought the kid might somehow make a break for it.

    Charlie disappeared inside. I waited, leaning casually against the wall like I had all the time in the world, though inside, every second felt stretched thin and tight. I strained my ears for any sign of trouble – the shuffle of more boots, the click of a safety being switched

    After a short while, the boy emerged. His hands were wet, the smell of soap clinging faintly to them. That tiny detail told me something–maybe he actually had needed to go, or maybe he just wanted to look obedient, to keep the guy’s suspicions low. Either way, we were both back under his watchful gaze.

    “Let’s go,” the man said, motioning with the rifle for us to move.

    with

    We fell back into step, the echo of our footsteps filling the hallway. My mind wasn’t just on escape anymore, I kept turning over what Charlie had told me back in thatvish room that his mother was Olivia ke.

    09:40 Sat, 30 Aug

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    The words had sounded absurd at first, but the more I thought about it, the more they fit. It exined the VIP treatment, the private room packed with games and snacks, and the high–level security. You can’t do all that in someone’s elsepany building

    But if it was true, then what? Did it mean she’d moved onpletely a child, possibly with the man she was seeing now? If that was the case, then any sliver of possibility between us had been buried long ago. And yet, part of me still

    wanted answers.

    Answers I might get in just a few minutes. Because whether I liked it or not, I was about to be in the same room with her

    again.

    The hallway seemed longer than before, every step dragging me toward that moment. My thoughts were interrupted when the guy shoved me lightly in the back with the rifle.

    “Open it,” he ordered, jerking his chin toward the tall double doors ahead.

    I swallowed whatever I’d been about to say and reached for the handles. The metal was cold against my palms, but my grip was steady. I knew exactly what was behind this door – the main hall.

    Inside would be everyone. Friends. Enemies. James. Olivia. And if Charlie had been telling the truth, the man she called her husband, maybe even her parents. And Marcus.

    At least, those were the people I thought I knew of.

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