Chapter 4 - The Trail of Scars
Julian snatched a secondary phone from his desk and dialed his elite private security chief.
"Lock down every exit out of the county," Julian commanded, his voice trembling with controlled rage.
"Find that black truck, or I will burn this city to the ground myself."
Clara grabbed Julian's arm, her fingers sinking into his coat fabric.
"She won't harm him immediately," Clara said, trying to keep her panic from consuming her.
"Leo is her bargaining chip."
"She wants you on your knees, Julian."
Julian looked into Clara’s determined eyes and took a deep, ragged breath.
"You're right," he muttered, forcing himself to think logically.
"Victoria always leaves a paper trail when she moves fast."
They rushed down to the estate's private basement office.
Julian unlocked the steel security safe tucked behind a framed canvas.
Inside lay thick brown folders labeled with names from Victoria’s past.
He tossed a folder marked Jax & Co. onto the table.
Clara gasped as a photograph slipped out from between the pages.
The photo showed a younger Victoria standing beside a tall, heavily tattooed man in a leather vest.
The man had long black hair, a thick beard, and cold, calculating eyes.
"That's Jax," Julian said, pointing to the man.
"He runs a underground biker syndicate on the south side of the city."
"Victoria used to manage his illegal finances before she met me."
Clara picked up the photograph and studied the background closely.
In the corner of the photo stood a weathered brick building with a neon sign.
The sign flickered with the words: The Rusty Engine Diner.
"This diner," Clara said, pointing at the sign.
"I know this place."
"My brother used to work near the docks five years ago."
"It's a hiding spot for Jax's crew when they need to disappear."
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Julian grab his car keys from the table with a cold, lethal gaze.
"Then that is where we start hunting," Julian declared.
