CHAPTER 13
The private jet touched down in Dallas,
and Megan immediately transferred to a waiting SUV,
instructing the driver to speed toward the lake cabin.
The sky was turning a dark shade of purple,
as a storm approached from the west,
lightning flashing in the distance.
She kept trying to call Lily,
but the calls went straight to voicemail,
increasing her anxiety with every passing minute.
"Come on,
Lily,
answer the phone,"
she muttered to herself,
tapping her fingers against the leather seat.
The lake cabin was two hours outside the city,
located in a secluded wooded area,
a place her father bought years ago for family vacations.
It had been abandoned for years,
a relic of happier times before Jack's ambition ruined everything.
As the SUV tore down the muddy dirt road leading to the property,
Megan saw the headlights of another car parked in the driveway.
Her heart skipped a beat,
wondering if Vance's men had beaten her to it,
or if Jack had arrived.
She stepped out of the vehicle,
holding a flashlight,
the rain beginning to fall in heavy drops around her.
She walked cautiously toward the wooden porch,
the old steps creaking under her weight,
amplifying the silence of the woods.
The front door was slightly ajar,
swinging slowly in the wind,
revealing a pitch-black interior.
She pushed it open,
shining her light inside,
seeing overturned furniture and shattered glass on the floor.
Someone had already searched the place,
tearing it apart in a frantic rush to find the hidden treasure.
"Megan?"
a voice whispered from the darkness of the hallway,
making her jump in alarm.
She spun around,
raising the flashlight,
and saw Jack standing there,
holding a bleeding arm,
with Lily cowering behind him.
"You're hurt,"
Megan exclaimed,
her anger momentarily forgotten at the sight of their distress.
"They found us on the road,"
Jack explained,
wincing as he held his wound,
"we barely made it out alive."
"Did they get the ledger?"
she asked,
scanning the room for signs of the invaders.
"No,"
Jack managed a weak smile,
"they didn't know exactly where to look,
but they will be back soon with reinforcements."
Lily ran into Megan's arms,
sobbing uncontrollably,
seeking comfort from the only woman she truly trusted.
Megan held her tightly,
glaring at Jack over her shoulder,
May you like
realizing that despite everything,
they had to work together to survive the night.
