Headlights swept across the dirty windows of the warehouse.

The bright beams cut through the darkness, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.

The heavy metal doors at the far end of the warehouse began to rattle.

Victoria gripped my arm tighter, her fingers pinching my skin.

“Julian, open the side exit,” she ordered.

Julian ran toward the small metal door near the shipping crates.

He threw the heavy bolt back, but the door only opened an inch before catching on a security chain.

He peered through the gap.

“There are cars blocking the alley,” Julian said, his voice rising in panic.

“Black SUVs.”

“They are already here.”

Chloe let out a sharp cry and dropped her phone.

The glass screen shattered on the concrete.

“Victoria, what do we do?” Chloe asked, her face pale.

Victoria did not answer immediately.

She looked at me, her eyes dark and calculating.

She looked at my stomach, then at the ledger still clutched in my hands.

“Give me the ledger, Natalie,” Victoria said, her voice strangely calm.

“And I will make sure the paramedics get to you.”