Emma didn't remember how she got back to her bedroom. One moment Cassandra's threat was ringing in her ears, the next she was sitting on the edge of her bed, hands trembling violently in her lap.
End it, Cassandra had said.
Or risk losing everything—including her baby.
Tears spilled down Emma's cheeks. How could she choose? Her child was innocent, a tiny life that hadn't even drawn its first breath. And Adrian… for all his coldness, she loved him. More than she'd ever wanted to.
But Cassandra was right about one thing: accidents happened. And Adrian's enemies wouldn't hesitate to use her, or their child, to destroy him.
The door creaked open. Emma startled, half expecting Cassandra to glide back in with a dagger smile.
Instead it was Ellis. His usual stoic composure was strained.
"Madam—" he hesitated, voice tight, "there's been an incident."
Emma surged to her feet. "What happened?"
"It's Mr. Blackwood. His car was ambushed on the outskirts of town. We believe it was one of the rival syndicates."
Her heart stopped. "Is he—?"
"We don't know." Ellis's eyes were dark with guilt and fear. "His security detail was overrun. The men who survived said he was taken alive."
Emma pressed a hand to her mouth. The room tilted, as though the floor had dropped out from under her.
"Has there been a ransom demand?"
"Not yet. But there will be."
Emma clenched her fists. Her legs wanted to give out, but she forced herself to stay upright. "What are you doing about it?"
"The men are mobilizing. But it's delicate—if we push too hard, they may kill him out of spite."
Emma's throat burned. Her mind raced through everything she'd learned since entering Adrian's world. The coded ledgers, the quiet conversations she'd overheard, the private meetings late at night.
"Ellis. I want to help."
He blinked. "With respect, madam, it's far too dangerous. Your safety—and the child's—"
Her head snapped up. "You know?"
"I've served this family a long time, Mrs. Blackwood. I notice things. But it's not my place to speak unless you wish it."
Emma exhaled shakily. "Then you understand why I can't sit by. That baby is his too. If we lose Adrian now… everything falls apart."
Ellis looked at her for a long moment. Then he inclined his head.
"There may be something. Mr. Blackwood keeps a private safe in his study. Inside is a ledger that details financial transactions and pressure points—bribes, debts, blackmail material. If you could get it to our negotiators, it could give them leverage to force a trade."
Emma squared her shoulders. "Show me."
They slipped into Adrian's study. The scent of leather and cedar filled the room, the wide mahogany desk scattered with notes and blueprints. Ellis knelt by a panel beneath the bookshelves and pressed a hidden latch. A small compartment popped open, revealing a heavy steel safe.
"Do you know the combination?" she whispered.
He nodded. "Birth year of his mother, then his. Then the year he inherited the company."
With trembling hands, Ellis turned the dial. The lock clicked. Inside sat a thick black ledger bound in cracked leather.
Emma reached for it—then froze. Nestled beneath the ledger was a small velvet box. Curious, she flipped it open.
Inside was a stunning diamond ring, delicate yet undeniably precious.
An engagement ring? Her heart squeezed. Had Adrian planned…?
She snapped the box shut, tucking it back in the safe, then grabbed the ledger.
"Let's go."
As Ellis guided her back through the halls, Emma clutched the ledger so hard her knuckles whitened. Hold on, Adrian. I'm coming for you.
Hours blurred as men arrived, conferring in tense whispers with Ellis. Maps were unrolled on the dining table, marked with routes and enemy hideouts.
Emma hovered on the edge, stomach twisting with nausea and nerves. For the baby. For Adrian.
Finally, Ellis turned to her. "Madam, it's time. The negotiators will take the ledger. Stay here—please. If anything happens—"
Emma cut him off. "No. I'm going too."
"Absolutely not."
"I won't be in the line of fire. But if this goes wrong, I want to be there. Adrian would do the same for me."
Ellis hesitated, jaw working. Then he nodded grimly. "Very well. But stay behind me at all times."
They traveled in armored SUVs through winding roads and dark forests. Emma's hands trembled on her lap the entire way. The men spoke into earpieces, coordinating the exchange. Every mile felt like an eternity.
Finally, they pulled up to a decrepit warehouse on the edge of an abandoned industrial park. The sky had darkened again, thunder rumbling ominously.
"Stay close," Ellis murmured, stepping out.
Emma clutched her belly protectively and followed.
Inside, the air was thick with oil and mildew. Shadows moved at the edges of her vision—armed guards, faces obscured by masks.
A man with greasy hair and a shark-like grin stepped forward. "Ellis. I see you've brought the wife. Bold."
"Spare us the theatrics," Ellis growled. "We have what you want."
He tossed the ledger. The man caught it, rifled through it with greedy hands.
A long, tense silence.
Then: "Very well. Bring him."
Two men emerged from a side corridor, dragging Adrian between them. His face was battered, one eye swollen shut, lip split. His shirt was torn and bloodstained.
Emma let out a strangled cry.
"Adrian!"
His head snapped up. When he saw her, his good eye widened in horror. "Emma—no!"
The man holding the ledger smirked. "Touching reunion. Shame it's your last."
He dropped the book and drew a gun, aiming it straight at Emma.
Everything happened in a blur. Ellis lunged, shoving Emma aside. A shot cracked through the air—Ellis fell with a grunt. Emma screamed, stumbling to her knees.
Adrian roared, tearing free of his captors and tackling the gunman. They crashed to the ground, the gun skittering across the concrete.
Emma scrambled for it. Her hands closed around cold steel just as another man rushed at her. She squeezed the trigger—once, twice. The recoil jolted her arms, the shots deafening.
The man crumpled. Emma dropped the gun, hands shaking violently.
Adrian staggered to her side, pulling her into a bruising embrace. His breath was hot against her ear.
"You shouldn't be here," he rasped.
"You're my husband. And this—" She grabbed his hand, pressing it to her belly. "This is your child. I won't let you go."
Adrian's eyes widened, raw emotion flickering there. But before he could speak, headlights blazed through the warehouse doors—more cars pulling up.
Reinforcements. Or enemies.
Adrian grabbed her hand. "Run."