Chapter 4 - the shadow in the corridor
Alessandro didn't flinch. He reached out, his warm, broad hand taking Catherine's cold fingers in a firm, protective grip, pulling her smoothly to her feet.
"Marco, clear the service tunnel," Alessandro ordered flatly. "Harris, grab your emergency kit. You're coming with us."
"Wait!" Catherine protested, pulling Logan closer against her chest. "I can't go with you! I have my job, my apartment, my whole life here!"
Alessandro turned his dark eyes back to her, his expression grim and unwavering. "Your apartment is no longer safe, Catherine. The moment Vance's men realized I woke up, they ran your employee file through the hospital database. They know where you live."
Marco tapped his tablet screen, turning it so Catherine could see the live feed from her apartment building's street camera. Three dark sedans were idling directly outside her front steps, men in dark coats watching the lobby windows.
Catherine felt a cold spike of horror run down her spine. "My God..."
"They think you have David's files," Alessandro explained smoothly as he pulled on a dark wool coat handed to him by Marco. "And right now, the only thing standing between you, your son, and an entire syndicate strike team... is me."
Without waiting for another word, Alessandro took Logan from her arms, carrying the toddler effortlessly against his broad shoulder. Logan didn't cry or shrink away; instead, he rested his little chin on Alessandro’s shoulder, holding Captain Bear against the mob boss's back.
"Hold on to me," Alessandro told Catherine, his large hand wrapping securely around her waist as they moved toward the rear service door.
They moved quickly through the subterranean maintenance corridors beneath the hospital, Dr. Harris following closely behind with a heavy medical bag. The air was cool and smelled of damp concrete and steam pipes.
Outside the emergency tunnel exit, three heavy, bulletproof black SUVs were idling in the rain, their tinted windows reflecting the yellow streetlights.
Marco opened the rear door of the middle SUV, motioning for Catherine and Logan to climb inside. Alessandro slid in beside her, his broad frame taking up most of the plush leather back seat, his presence radiating an overwhelming sense of power and safety.
As the heavy armored doors slammed shut, the convoy tore away from the hospital curb, disappearing into the dark, rain-slicked streets of Baltimore.
Catherine looked out the window as her old life dissolved behind her in the dark. She turned her head, looking at the formidable, mysterious man sitting beside her in the dark leather interior.
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"Where are you taking us?" Catherine asked softly.
Alessandro looked out at the passing city lights, his sharp jaw setting in steel. "To my home, Catherine. The only place in this city where no one can touch you."
