Chapter 3 - THE SHADOWS OF KENSINGTONJean-Pierre moved with the precision of a man who owned the world. Within twenty minutes, he had his private security detail securing the mansion. He ordered the social worker—who he now suspected might be compromised—to remain in the guest wing.
He sat the triplets down in his library.
"Hugo, listen to me," he said, taking his son’s face in his hands. "You are safe here. No one is going to take you."
Hugo leaned in, his small voice barely audible. "The man in the black car told Mama he would take us if she didn't sign the papers."
"What papers, Hugo?"
"The ones that said the ships were empty, but the boxes were full."
Jean-Pierre felt his blood turn to ice. The logistics empire. His company—the very firm that had made him one of the wealthiest men in Europe—had been used as a front for a massive arms smuggling operation. And Amelia had found the manifest.
"Jean-Pierre," a voice whispered.
He spun around. Leia was standing by the heavy mahogany doors, clutching her teddy bear. "The man who took Mama... he said that if we ever saw you, we should give you this."
She reached into the teddy bear’s fur and pulled out a small, encrypted micro-SD card.
"He said it's the key to the empire."
Jean-Pierre took the card. He didn't plug it into his computer. He knew that the moment he did, a signal would be sent to the very people who had disappeared Amelia.
May you like
He looked at his children. They were his weakness, his shame, and his salvation.
"Tonight," he vowed, "is the last time you will ever be afraid."
