Chapter 20

Chapter 20


THE CHASE IN THE NIGHT

Point of View: Luna Hart

With his knife gleaming in the streetlight, Ethan grips my arm while my heart thumps like a quick rabbit. His eyes are cruel, and his grin is icy. Outside the Hart Global building, my mother cries as the guy in the dark cloak drags her toward a black vehicle. My stomach is twisting so painfully that I'm trembling. Because of our fictitious marriage to settle my debts, I, Luna Hart, the lost girl from Hart Global, am concealing my secret while residing in Mr. Cole's penthouse. The guy with the knife, Aunt Victoria, and Ethan are pursuing us because they want Hart Global. I just shoved Victoria and fled with my mother, but she was apprehended and Ethan grabbed me. I can't see Mr. Cole, but he's inside fighting. My voice is loud on the dark roadway as I yell.

"Give her up!" I scream and pull my arm, but Ethan's claws sink in and his grasp is firm.

He hisses, "Quiet, Luna," and pulls me toward the vehicle. "You're making things difficult."

As the guy pushes my mom into the vehicle, she fights and kicks him. She screams, "Luna, run!" in a fearful but powerful voice.

My eyes moisten, I shift, attempting to escape. I can't let her go once again. I thought she was gone forever, but last night I discovered her. When I give Ethan a powerful leg kick, he moans and lets go. With my pulse pounding, I break loose and sprint in the direction of the vehicle. My mom is inside when the guy smashes the door and leaps in front. The vehicle begins to move as the engine roars.

"No!" My legs burn as I scream and sprint after it. The vehicle turns a bend and accelerates. I pause, my hands shaking, my breath coming quickly. Mom is no longer with me. Once more.

Behind me, Ethan is still holding his knife. With a harsh tone, he adds, "You're coming with me."

With my heart racing, I take a step back. It's dark on the street, and automobiles move slowly. I must locate Mr. Cole. With my boots hitting the pavement, I turn and sprint in the direction of the Hart Global building. Behind me, I can hear Ethan's footsteps becoming louder. The foyer is still and dark as I pass through the glass doors. "Mr. Cole!" My voice echoes as I shout.

We left him with Victoria, and I hear a smash upstairs. With unsteady legs, I dash to the stairs. Ethan's boots are loud, and he's still behind. The door is open when I arrive at the workplace. Victoria is pinned on the ground with her arms pulled behind her by Mr. Cole. His eyes are steely and his face is crimson.

"Luna!" he exclaims, raising his gaze. "Where is your mother?"

"She was taken!" My voice cracks as I speak. "A van. The guy brandishing the knife.

Victoria's expression is furious as he pulls her up, his eyes widening. He shouts at her, "Who's got her?"

Her voice is harsh when she laughs. Adrian, you're too late. She is no longer there.

With his knife up, Ethan charges in. With the knife flying across the room, Mr. Cole attacks him after pushing Victoria away. They tumble, shouting and fighting. With my pulse pounding, I retreat. I'm not sure where the vehicle went, but I have to assist my mom.

Victoria clambers to her feet, her eyes cruel. She rushes at me after grabbing the knife from the ground. I scream while avoiding with unsteady hands. "Luna, run!" yells Mr. Cole, but Victoria is quick and keeps her knife near. I grab a chair and strike her arm with it. I bolt for the door as she drops the knife and swears.

My breath catches as I dash down the stairs. I must locate the van. The chilly air slapped my cheeks as I sprang outdoors. No van is visible, and the roadway is deserted. My eyes become watery and my heart sinks. I think about my mother's photo when I touch the locket in my pocket. I can't give up.

With his shirt ripped and his cheeks flushed, Mr. Cole rushes outside. He grabs my shoulders and says, "Luna, are you okay?"

My throat tightens as I nod. "They took her," I remark in a low voice. "I'm not sure where."

His eyes are keen as he scans the area. "We'll track her down. Hurry up.

With the motor roaring, we get into his vehicle. He grips the wheel tightly as he drives quickly. "Tell me everything," he demands in a firm voice. "No more secrets."

My stomach turns. I am no longer able to conceal. With a trembling voice, I introduce myself as Luna Hart. "From Hart Global." My mother is still living. She was hidden by Victoria. They have Ethan with them. They want the business.

Even if his eyes widen, he continues to drive. "What kept you from telling me?"

With tears in my eyes, I admit, "I was afraid." "I assumed you would sever our agreement."

His voice is quiet as he shakes his head. "I wouldn't. Luna, I'm here.

For a moment, my heart feels warm, but I can't stop seeing my mother's terrified expression. We search for the van as we travel across the city. My fingers are icy when I grip the locket. We cross dark alleys and turn turns, but she is nowhere to be seen.

The phone of Mr. Cole buzzes. His face firm, he clutches it. He switches it to speaker and adds, "It's Ethan."

Ethan's tone is icy. Adrian, you can't rescue her. or Luna. I own Hart Global.

"Where is she?" Mr. Cole shouts while gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Ethan chuckles. "You'll see. Verify your email.

Mr. Cole pulls over and opens his phone as the conversation comes to an end. As he clicks on an email, my heart is pounding. It's a video—of my mother in a dark room, still bound. "Luna, come to the old warehouse on River Street," a man's voice—not Ethan's—says. By themselves. Or she's gone.

My stomach turns around. That warehouse is close to the orphanage; I am familiar with it. Mr. Cole gives me a serious look. He responds, "You're not going alone."

My throat tightens as I nod. "I must save her."

He accelerates as he starts the vehicle. "We'll accomplish it together."

When we get to the warehouse, the air is chilly and the windows are dark. As we slip inside, my pulse is racing and the floor is creaking. It smells of oil and dust and is dark. My hands are shaking as I grip the locket. "Mom?" I spoke with a little whisper.

Abruptly, a bright light flickers on. My mother is there, her eyes open, strapped to a chair. Ethan, the guy with the knife at his side, is smiling meanly next to her. With a chilly tone, Ethan greets Luna. "You're exactly on time."

Mr. Cole moves front of me, his hands clenched. His voice is harsh as he says, "Ethan, let her go."

Ethan shakes his head and chuckles. "Brother, it's too late."

I saw my mother's powerful but terrified eyes. I must rescue her. My pulse is pounding as I take a step forward, but the guy with the knife advances, his blade gleaming. My breath is quick and my stomach aches.

Then I hear footsteps coming from the rear of the warehouse, a lot of them. My heart stops. Ethan's eyes widen as his grin wanes. The knife-wielding guy turns, fear on his face. “Police!” shouts a loud voice. "Hands up!"

Red and blue lights flash through the windows. My mother looks at me with fear and hope. The guy with the knife rushes for a side door as Ethan snatches her chair and pulls her back. Mr. Cole rushes toward Ethan, but a new person with a pistol emerges from the darkness. It's a lady with a scarf over her face and k
een eyes.

"Luna," she utters softly. "You were wrong to put your trust in him.”