Chapter 8 - The Ransom for Caleb
The Carver mansion’s private clinic wing was usually reserved for Daniel’s injured men, but tonight, it was a high-stakes delivery room.
Dr. Sterling stood over Hannah, his sleeves rolled up, his forehead beaded with sweat. “She’s in active labor, Daniel. The trauma from the fall and the stress has ruptured the amniotic sac. We can’t stop it now. We have to deliver.”
Daniel stood beside the bed, his face pale, his hand holding Hannah’s with a grip that was the only thing keeping her anchored to the world.
“You can do this, Hannah,” Daniel whispered, his voice shaking. “I’m right here. I’m not leaving you.”
“Caleb,” Hannah gasped between contractions, her face slick with sweat. “Daniel, the... the ledger. What did it say?”
“We looked at the drive, Hannah,” Daniel said, his voice low. “Caleb is alive. They’re keeping him at the old Whitlock warehouse on Pier 4. They’re holding him to force him to rewrite the digital ledgers. The ledger we found contains the original account keys. We can save him.”
Suddenly, Daniel’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, seeing an unknown number.
He answered it, his gray eyes flashing with fire. “Carver.”
“Daniel,” Arthur Whitlock’s voice was cold and desperate over the line. “I have your maid’s brother. And my daughter is currently in police custody because of your head of security. If you want Caleb Monroe to live to see his nephew, you will bring the ledger to Pier 4 in thirty minutes. Alone.”
“And if I don't?” Daniel asked.
“Then Caleb dies. And I will send the federal prosecutor the documents proving your family has been running the waterfront since 1992. No more deals, Daniel. Bring the ledger, or everyone you love dies.”
The line went dead.
Daniel looked down at Hannah, who was staring at him through tears of pain and terror.
“He has Caleb,” she whispered.
“I know,” Daniel said. He leaned down, kissing her forehead, his lips lingering against her skin. “I’m going to get him, Hannah. I’m going to bring your brother home.”
“Daniel, no... it’s a trap,” she sobbed, her hand tightening around his. “They’ll kill you.”
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“They can try,” Daniel said, a dark, beautiful smile touching his lips. “But they’re fighting for money, Hannah. I’m fighting for my family.”
He looked at Dr. Sterling. “Bring my son into the world safely, Doctor. I’ll be back before he takes his first breath.”
