Chapter 7 - THE DIAMOND GARROTE
“Hand over the envelope, Vincent,” Vanessa demanded, stepping forward, her heels clicking ominously on the concrete floor.
Vincent instinctively pushed me behind him, shielding my body with his own.
“You’re out of your mind, Vanessa,” Vincent said, his voice dangerously calm. “If you shoot me, my men will burn your family’s empire to the ground.”
Vanessa let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
“Your men?” she sneered. “Half of your captains have already sworn loyalty to my father. They want a leader, Vincent, not a sentimental fool who throws away a billion-dollar merger for a scrubbing maid.”
She held out her hand. “The will. Now.”
“No,” I whispered, gripping the back of Vincent’s jacket.
Vincent didn't move an inch. He stared down the five armed men with a terrifying lack of fear.
“I’m not giving you anything,” Vincent said.
Vanessa’s eyes flashed with venom. She snapped her fingers.
“Kill him,” she ordered.
But before the men could pull their triggers, the screech of tires echoed through the underground parking structure behind us.
Three black SUVs smashed through the chain-link gates, their high beams blinding Vanessa’s men.
The doors flew open, and a dozen of Vincent’s most loyal guards poured out, led by Leo. They had their weapons raised, instantly outnumbering and outgunning Vanessa’s thugs.
“Drop them!” Leo roared, his voice echoing like thunder.
Vanessa’s men hesitated, looking at the overwhelming odds. Slowly, one by one, they lowered their weapons and put their hands in the air.
Vanessa’s face twisted in absolute fury. Her coup had failed.
“It’s over, Vanessa,” Vincent said, stepping forward. He held up the manila envelope. “You have nothing.”
Vanessa looked at the envelope, then at Vincent, and finally, her hateful gaze locked onto me.
With a scream of pure, unhinged rage, she lunged at me.
She was incredibly fast. Before Vincent or Leo could react, Vanessa tackled me to the concrete floor.
I hit the ground hard, the breath knocking out of my lungs.
Vanessa ripped the heavy, multi-million-dollar diamond necklace from her throat. She gripped both ends, pulling the reinforced platinum wire taut, and wrapped it violently around my neck.
“You’re just a maid!” Vanessa screamed, pulling the diamond garrote tight. “You’re nothing!”
The wire bit into my skin. I gasped, clawing frantically at Vanessa’s hands, but she was fueled by pure desperation.
Black spots danced in my vision.
“Hannah!” Vincent roared.
He didn't shoot. He couldn't risk hitting me.
Instead, Vincent dove to the floor, grabbing Vanessa by the shoulders and hurling her backward with a terrifying display of raw strength.
Vanessa crashed into the metal lockers and crumpled to the ground.
Vincent was instantly at my side, his large hands gently pulling the broken diamond necklace away from my bruised throat.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice trembling as he helped me sit up. “Breathe, Emily. Just breathe. I’ve got you.”
I coughed, sucking in the cold, dusty air, tears streaming down my face. I clung to Vincent’s jacket, burying my face in his chest.
For the first time in my life, I felt completely, utterly safe.
Leo hauled Vanessa to her feet, roughly securing her hands behind her back. She looked disheveled, pathetic, her perfect hair ruined and her designer suit covered in dirt.
“Take her to the police,” Vincent ordered without even looking at her. “Give them the files on her father’s embezzlements. Let her rot in a cell.”
Vanessa didn't scream or fight anymore. She just stared at me with hollow, defeated eyes as Leo dragged her away into the darkness.
Vincent gently helped me to my feet. He looked at the red marks on my neck, his jaw tight with guilt.
“I’m so sorry,” he said softly.
“It’s over,” I whispered, managing a small, tired smile. “We’re safe.”
May you like
Vincent picked up the manila envelope from the floor. He handed it to me.
“Yes,” he said, his eyes filled with a profound respect. “We are going home, Emily.”
