Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The Maybach sped past Stewart and disappeared down the road.

He kept his eyes fixed on the car's fading silhouette until it was completely out of sight. Only then did he turn away.

Stepping out, Stewart crouched beside his own car and checked the

undercarriage.

Just as he'd suspected.

Someone had rigged the car with a timed explosive.

The countdown had less than ten minutes left.

He snapped a photo of the device and sent it to Lorna.

Her call came through instantly.

"Stewart, listen to me," Lorna's voice was sharp with urgency. "This is a modified bomb—if it goes off, the blast radius will be huge. You need to get everyone out of there, now-"

"There's only ten minutes," Stewart cut her off, voice taut. "There's no time to evacuate the whole block. There are apartment buildings and a playground nearby. I need to get the car away from here."

"Are you out of your mind?" Lorna's pitch rose. "Ten minutes isn't enough! Where could you possibly go?"

"I checked the map. There's an abandoned dock less than two miles from here." "Even if you make it, will you have time to get away?"

He slid back into the driver's seat and shut the door. "Lorna, today's been a good day."

Lorna fell silent.

both know-even if we make it to Switzerland,

brother's a genius-he's promised, as long as you cooperate, he'll pull you back from the

the GPS, and floored the

M9 roared toward the old

dropped to a murmur. "Lorna, tell Cedric Clarke

voice broke through, desperate and pleading. "Stewart,

long as I'm alive,

"But if you die, your children

Stewart said nothing.

He ended the call.

minute

those last few minutes, he couldn't help himself he

moment, Briony

backseat of the Maybacet

her so

out

Pand daughter close, staring

at the

that had swept across

šky.

moments ago, the sun had been shining. Now, as if

was shrouded in

an intersection, the

gently on the brake, and the black Maybach came to

her phone started to

eyelashes fluttered. She spoke softly, "Crystal, could you get my phone

checked the screen. "It's an unknown number. Maybe