Chapter 5 - The Emergency Exit
I didn't hesitate.
The postpartum pain tearing through my lower abdomen was completely eclipsed by a sudden, primal surge of maternal rage. I pulled my baby securely against my chest with one arm, swung my legs over the edge of the hospital bed, and hit the floor with a sharp gasp.
"Joanna, you can't walk yet, you just delivered—" Dr. Wright started, rushing over to support my elbow.
"I can walk," I breathed fiercely, my eyes locked on the heavy metal door as the first heavy thud of a shoulder slammed against the exterior wood, splintering the frame. "Where is the emergency exit?"
"Through the private bathroom connecting to the adjoining surgical prep suite," Dr. Wright said, pointing frantically toward a white door in the corner of the room. "The stairwell leads down to the loading dock. But the elevators are already locked down by their security protocols—they'll cut off the ground floor within seconds."
Crash!
The wooden door burst inward, splintering bolts and tearing the deadbolt lock right out of the drywall.
Marcus Vance stepped into the room first, dressed in a sleek charcoal suit, his piercing blue eyes scanning the space with terrifying efficiency. Behind him stood Logan, his face pale, his eyes wide and hollow as he stared at me standing beside the bed with our newborn baby clutched in my arms.
"Joanna..." Logan choked out, taking a step forward. "Don't make this harder than it has to be. The board wants the heir. If you hand him over voluntarily—"
"Stay back!" I screamed, snatching a heavy metal IV pole from its stand and swinging it like a baseball bat between us.
Marcus Vance didn't even flinch. He reached inside his jacket, his hand closing around the grip of a suppressed firearm.
"End of the line, Major," Vance muttered coldly, stepping around Logan.
Dr. Wright suddenly lunged forward, throwing his entire body against a heavy medical supply cart and shoving it directly into Vance’s path just as the enforcer raised his weapon.
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"Go, Joanna! Run!" Dr. Wright yelled, as Vance grabbed the old doctor by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
I didn't look back. I bolted through the bathroom door, slamming it shut behind me and spinning the heavy privacy latch just as the first bullet shattered the frosted glass panel right beside my head.
