Chapter 8 - They had two hours.The old mill stood beside the Kentucky River.
Everett knew the place.
Abandoned for twenty years.
Too isolated.
Too perfect.
Claire refused to let Junie go.
Everett agreed.
They would bring a decoy.
But Victor wasn't stupid.
He had cameras.
Drones.
People everywhere.
Everett gathered four men from his old riding club.
No questions.
No hesitation.
They owed Everett favors.
The plan was simple.
Appear to bring Junie.
Actually hide her nearby.
Enter the mill.
Find Lily.
Escape.
Nothing about the plan survived the first five minutes.
As Everett approached the mill, every light suddenly came on.
Claire whispered:
“They know.”
Everett nodded.
A voice echoed from inside.
“Come in, Everett.”
They entered.
Victor waited in the center of the building.
He looked younger than Everett expected.
Clean suit.
Expensive shoes.
Calm expression.
Behind him were six armed men.
And beside them sat Lily.
Alive.
Everett stopped breathing.
She looked fragile.
Thin.
Pale.
There was a scar along her temple.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
“Daddy?”
Everett couldn't speak.
Lily smiled through tears.
“You got old.”
Everett laughed once.
Then he cried.
He walked toward her.
Victor raised a gun.
“Not yet.”
Everett stopped.
Victor smiled.
“Where is the girl?”
Everett looked toward him.
“You first.”
Victor's smile faded.
“Where is Junie?”
Everett held up a small backpack.
“Safe.”
Victor laughed.
“You think I believe you?”
Lily suddenly spoke.
“He wouldn't bring her.”
Victor looked at Lily.
“Why not?”
“Because he's her grandfather.”
Victor's face hardened.
“She isn't family.”
Lily looked at him.
“She's the only family I have left.”
Victor raised his gun.
Everett stepped forward.
“Take me instead.”
Victor considered it.
Then he smiled.
“That's not how this works.”
Suddenly the mill doors slammed shut.
The lights went out.
Gunfire erupted.
Everett tackled Lily.
Claire pulled her behind a wooden beam.
The bikers returned fire.
Someone screamed.
Everett grabbed Lily.
“Can you walk?”
She nodded.
“Where's Junie?”
“With Claire.”
Lily's eyes filled.
“I need to see her.”
“You will.”
They ran toward the rear exit.
Then a voice came over the loudspeakers.
“Everett.”
Richard Knox.
“You brought the wrong girl.”
Everett froze.
“What?”
A video screen switched on.
Junie appeared.
Sitting alone in a room.
Everett's blood turned to ice.
He looked at Claire.
“Where is she?”
Claire's face went white.
“I thought she was with you.”
Richard's voice returned.
“You never had Junie.”
Lily screamed.
“NO!”
Everett stared at the screen.
Richard smiled.
“She came to me willingly.”
Junie was holding something.
Her silver bear necklace.
Then the camera zoomed in.
She whispered:
“Grandpa said Mommy was coming.”
Lily collapsed.
May you like
Richard spoke softly.
“Welcome home, Lily.”
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