Chapter 6 - Into the Lion’s Den
The rain poured down in sheets over the industrial district of South Chicago. Three dark SUVs sped through the empty, desolate streets, stopping outside an abandoned textile warehouse near the river.
Inside the lead vehicle, Damian checked his tactical radio while his men prepped their gear.
"Julian’s men are holding her inside," Viktor reported, looking at a digital floor plan on a tablet. "Sensors show four men on the main floor, two on the roof, and Julian in the central office with the girl."
Natalie stared out the rain-streaked window at the dark warehouse. "Damian, if your men go in with guns blazing, the noise will terrify Ava. She will go into a catatonic state or hurt herself trying to hide."
Damian turned to her, his expression tight. "We don't have time for a prolonged siege, Natalie. Julian is unstable."
"Give me five minutes," Natalie pleaded, touching his arm. "Let me get close enough to speak to her. If she hears my voice, she'll know help is here. Use the rear entrance while I draw Julian's attention at the front."
"Absolutely not," Damian snapped. "I won't put you in the line of fire."
"You said I was part of her shield," Natalie said fiercely, holding his gaze. "Trust me, Damian. Please."
Damian looked into her eyes, seeing an unwavering resolve that matched his own. He reached out, cupping her cheek gently. "If anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself."
"Nothing is going to happen," she promised. "Bring our daughter home."
Minutes later, Natalie walked toward the front entrance of the warehouse under the pouring rain, her arms raised high in the air. Two armed men immediately stepped out from the shadows, pointing rifles at her.
"I'm Natalie Carter!" she shouted over the storm. "I'm Ava's caregiver! Julian wants the DeLuca representative—I'm here with the terms for the exchange!"
The men exchanged glances. One of them spoke into a walkie-talkie before roughly grabbing her arm and shoving her inside the building.
The inside of the warehouse was vast, cold, and echoing with the sound of dripping water. High up on the second-floor mezzanine, inside a glass-walled office, Natalie saw Julian Moretti sitting at a desk.
And in the corner of that office, huddled under a rusty metal table, was Ava.
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The little girl had her hands jammed tightly against her ears, her eyes squeezed shut, her tiny body trembling violently. The harsh construction lights Julian had set up were glaring directly at her face.
"Ava!" Natalie screamed out, her voice echoing off the concrete walls.
