Chapter 2 – The Hospital and the Men Who Came Too Late

The convoy reached St. Matthew Medical Center just before sunrise.

Black SUVs surrounded the emergency entrance.

Doctors stepped aside the moment Beckett Hayes walked inside.

Not because of fear.

Because they recognized power.

Greer ran ahead.

"Mama!"

Room 417.

Marina lay motionless beneath white blankets.

Machines breathed for her.

Bruises shadowed one side of her face.

Fresh stitches crossed her forehead.

Beckett stopped in the doorway.

His entire empire suddenly felt meaningless.

The nurse quietly approached.

"She was attacked three nights ago."

His expression hardened.

"By who?"

"We don't know."

Greer spoke first.

"I do."

Every adult turned toward her.

"The men wanted Mama to tell them where you lived."

Beckett slowly closed his eyes.

His enemies.

They hadn't been hunting him.

They had been hunting Marina.

His security chief stepped closer.

"Sir..."

"We found something."

He handed Beckett a tablet.

Hospital security footage.

Two masked men entering Marina's room.

Only minutes earlier.

They weren't there to finish the job.

They were there for Greer.

Beckett looked toward the hallway.

Empty.

Too empty.

"Where's my daughter?"

Silence.

The nurse gasped.

The room exploded into motion.

Security flooded every corridor.

Elevators locked.

Exits sealed.

One camera finally caught them.

A man carrying Greer toward the parking garage.

The child fought wildly.

Kicking.

Biting.

Screaming.

"No!"

"My daddy's coming!"

Beckett didn't wait for anyone.

He sprinted.

The parking garage echoed with footsteps.

Rainwater dripped from concrete ceilings.

The kidnapper reached a waiting van.

Then froze.

Beckett stood directly between the vehicle...

And the only exit.

His voice was terrifyingly calm.

"Put."

"My."

"Daughter."

"Down."

The kidnapper laughed.

Until fifty armed men silently emerged from every shadow.

The smile disappeared.

Greer broke free.

"Dad!"

She ran straight into Beckett's arms.

For the first time in his life...

The feared mafia boss cried.