The black Bugatti tore down the road, a motion blur against the dark night.

The engine’s roar was deafening, drowning out the faint vibration of an unanswered phone call.

Tessa’s heart clenched. Her fingers dug into the seatbelt, knuckles pale. “Stephen, slow down.”

Stephen’s jaw tightened as he stared straight ahead. His mood was unmistakably terrible.

He didn’t respond, but the car began to slow down.

The tension in Tessa’s body eased, and she turned her gaze outside.

Nothing looked familiar. This wasn’t the road to Grandview Garden, nor was it the way back to the Jacobson residence.

“Where are we going?”

“Grandview Garden isn’t safe. You can’t go back for now. I’m taking you to an estate outside the city. Stay there until I settle things,” Stephen replied coldly.

“Is it far?”

“Not too far. Someone will meet you ahead. Just follow them. The car is fully staffed with professional security. You’ll be safe.”

Tessa quickly asked, “What about you?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

The car sped forward. The towering skyline faded behind them, replaced by low houses and vast stretches of open land. Lush greenery lined the road, wild and untouched.

“We’re almost there. When the car stops, get down and go with them.”

Tessa glanced over her shoulder. “Where are the bodyguards? I thought you never went anywhere without them.”

Vol

Stephen said seriously, “Someone was tailing us when we left the hospital. I sped up to shake them off. The bodyguards must have lost track of us then.”

Tessa’s chest tightened. “Will you be in danger when you go back?”

Before Stephen could answer, his phone buzzed again.

The car had already slowed, so this time, he picked up.

“Mr. Jacobson, where are you and Mrs. Jacobson? We lost you,” the bodyguard asked anxiously.

“I’m-”

Before Stephen could respond, a gunshot cracked through the night, the bullet lodging into the car’s

frame.

A black Aston Martin appeared in the rearview mirror.

Stephen jerked the steering wheel hard, narrowly dodging the next shot aimed at the tires. The bullet

embedded itself in the car’s body instead.

Tessa gasped. The Bugatti screeched against the asphalt road, tires skidding from

the sudden turn.

“Tessa, watch out!”

bet

Stephen shoved Tessa down just as another bullet whizzed past. It tore through the passenger side, missing her head by inches.

The windshield cracked, and a jagged hole splintered through the glass.

Cold air rushed in as Tessa curled into a fetal position, shaking.

She had just brushed past death. Again.