Trapped
776 Words
Aria’s heart slammed against her ribs.
“They’ve already entered the house.”
Xavier’s voice remained calm.
Too calm.
“What do you mean?” she whispered.
“I mean exactly what I said.”
The lights suddenly went out.
Darkness swallowed the study.
Aria gasped.
The only light came from the moon shining through the shattered window.
Her breathing became shallow.
“…Xavier?”
“I’m still here.”
She gripped the phone tighter.
“What do I do?”
“Lock the study door.”
She ran toward it.
Just as she turned the lock—
Bang!
Something heavy slammed against the other side.
She screamed.
Another bang followed.
The wood shook violently.
Someone was trying to break in.
“They’re at the door!” she cried.
“I know.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve been watching your security cameras.”
“What?”
“The cameras in your father’s house are connected to my security network.”
Aria frowned.
“Why?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Another violent crash echoed through the room.
A c***k appeared in the door.
“They’re coming in!”
“Listen carefully,” Xavier said.
“There should be another exit inside the study.”
“What?”
“Your father built a hidden passage years ago.”
Aria looked around wildly.
“I don’t see anything!”
“You will.”
Another crash.
The door frame splintered.
She searched the walls desperately.
Bookshelves.
Paintings.
Cabinets.
Nothing.
Then…
She remembered the hidden safe.
The bookshelf.
She ran toward it.
Her trembling fingers searched the wood until they found the same loose book.
She pulled it.
Click.
Instead of revealing the safe…
The entire bookshelf slowly slid sideways.
A narrow staircase appeared behind it.
“Oh my God…”
“Go.”
“But the letter—”
“Take everything.”
She grabbed the envelope, the photograph, and the documents before rushing into the passage.
The bookshelf closed behind her.
Seconds later—
CRASH!
The study door burst open.
Heavy footsteps filled the room above.
Someone shouted,
“Search everywhere!”
Aria covered her mouth to stop herself from breathing too loudly.
The hidden passage was cold and dusty.
She carefully descended the narrow stairs.
It seemed endless.
Finally…
She reached another door.
She pushed it open.
Fresh air rushed against her face.
She had emerged behind the mansion, hidden among tall trees.
Waiting beside the gate…
Was a sleek black Rolls-Royce.
Its headlights flashed twice.
The driver’s door opened.
A man in a black suit stepped out.
“Miss Vale.”
He bowed respectfully.
“Mr. Blackwood sent me.”
Before she could answer—
Gunshots exploded behind the mansion.
The driver immediately opened the rear door.
“We have to leave. Now.”
Aria climbed inside.
The car sped away just as two black SUVs burst through the mansion gates and began chasing them.
The city lights blurred past.
The driver remained focused.
“They’re still behind us.”
Aria looked through the rear window.
Three SUVs.
Closing in fast.
“They’re gaining!”
The driver pressed a button.
The privacy screen slid down.
A familiar face appeared on the dashboard’s video display.
Xavier.
He was sitting in his office as if nothing had happened.
His blue eyes met hers.
“Are you hurt?”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“My house was attacked!”
“I know.”
“Someone tried to kill me!”
“I know.”
“And you’re sitting there?”
His expression didn’t change.
“If I panic, I can’t protect you.”
Before she could reply…
The Rolls-Royce swerved sharply.
A black SUV rammed into its side.
The impact threw Aria across the seat.
The driver fought to keep control.
“They’re trying to force us off the bridge!”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed.
“Driver.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Protocol Black.”
The driver’s expression changed instantly.
“Understood.”
He pressed another hidden button.
The Rolls-Royce suddenly accelerated with incredible speed, pulling away from the SUVs.
For a moment…
It looked like they had escaped.
Then—
A massive truck drove across the bridge ahead.
It stopped sideways.
Blocking every lane.
The driver slammed on the brakes.
The Rolls-Royce screeched to a halt just meters from the truck.
Doors on the truck flew open.
More than a dozen armed men climbed out.
One of them stepped forward.
He slowly removed his mask.
The moment Aria saw his face…
The color drained from hers.
It was someone she knew.
Someone she had trusted her entire life.
“Uncle Daniel…?”
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