Chapter 8 - When the City Went Dark.
The penthouse disappeared into darkness.
Claire screamed Noah's name.
Adrian moved toward the sound of her voice.
Emergency lights failed to activate.
That told him the outage was deliberate.
Peter shouted from the foyer.
"Stay away from the doors."
A crash came from the service hallway.
Gabriel swore.
"They cut the private circuit."
Adrian found Claire by touch near the sofa.
"Get down."
"I can't see him."
"He's in your arms. Keep talking to him."
Noah began crying.
The tiny sound became the only fixed point in the room.
Then glass shattered near the kitchen.
Claire froze.
Adrian pulled her behind the marble island.
A flashlight beam swept across the living room.
Peter called out.
"Cafalli security. Identify yourself."
A muffled impact followed.
Peter groaned.
Claire covered Noah's head with the blanket.
Adrian's anger became terrifyingly calm.
Gabriel whispered from somewhere near the wall.
"There are at least two."
Adrian said nothing.
Footsteps moved across the marble.
One stopped beside the makeshift bed.
A man kicked through the blankets.
"She's not here."
Another voice answered from the hallway.
"Find the key."
Claire's breathing became ragged.
Adrian put a finger to his lips.
The first man moved closer.
A beam of light slid across the island and vanished.
Gabriel suddenly threw a heavy decorative vase across the room.
It smashed against the far wall.
Both intruders turned toward the sound.
Peter surged out of the darkness.
There was a violent struggle, fast and confused.
Adrian kept Claire behind him.
He did not chase the men.
His only goal was keeping them away from Noah.
One intruder ran toward the service corridor.
The other slammed into Gabriel.
The flashlight hit the floor and spun in a circle.
For one brief second, its beam crossed the man's wrist.
The scorpion tattoo flashed black against pale skin.
Claire made a small sound.
The man heard her.
He turned.
Adrian saw the decision happen on his face.
The intruder rushed toward the kitchen.
Gabriel tackled him from the side.
Both men crashed into the dining table.
Peter reached them seconds later.
The intruder twisted free and disappeared through the service hall.
Then the emergency lights came back on.
Peter had blood on his forehead.
Gabriel's lip was split.
Claire was shaking so hard that Adrian had to steady her elbow.
Noah screamed against her chest.
Dr. Mercer emerged from the guest room where she had taken cover.
"Give him to me."
Claire hesitated, then allowed Evelyn to examine the baby.
Adrian looked at the ruined room.
The intruders had not tried to steal art, cash, or electronics.
They had searched only the blankets.
They wanted the key.
Gabriel wiped blood from his mouth.
"You can't keep them here."
Adrian looked at him.
"Watch me."
"This apartment is compromised."
"Then we leave."
Claire looked up.
"Where?"
Adrian's eyes moved to the photograph of Victor.
"Somewhere my family forgot existed."
Forty minutes later, they were inside an armored elevator descending to a private garage.
Noah slept in Claire's arms.
Peter watched the doors.
Gabriel stood apart from everyone.
Adrian held the brass key.
As the elevator reached the basement, his phone received one new message.
May you like
It came from Victor Cafalli.
I HEAR YOU'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT YOUR FATHER.
