Chapter 9 - THE CABINAt 3:00 AM, Julian loaded Lila into an SUV.
Carter's team followed.
Police joined the operation.
I sat in the back of the surveillance vehicle, shaking.
"I want my daughter."
Carter looked at me.
"You'll get her."
The convoy moved through dark mountain roads.
Snow began falling.
Then the SUV disappeared from the tracker.
My heart stopped.
"Where is he?"
Carter's radio crackled.
"Vehicle spotted near the old quarry."
We raced there.
Julian was standing beside the SUV.
Lila was in his arms.
And there was a gun in his hand.
He pressed it against her tiny head.
Everything stopped.
I stepped out of the vehicle.
"Julian."
He looked at me.
His face was destroyed by exhaustion.
"You took everything."
"No."
I took another step.
"You destroyed everything."
His hand trembled.
"She's mine."
"She's not an object."
"She's the only thing I have left."
I looked at Lila.
Then back at him.
"You don't have to lose her tonight."
His eyes filled with tears.
"Choose her, Julian."
He looked down.
Lila's tiny fingers gripped his shirt.
His gun began to lower.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
The gun fell.
Carter moved.
Police swarmed.
Lila was pulled from his arms.
I ran.
I held my daughter.
Alive.
Cold.
Terrified.
But alive.
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Behind me, Julian was handcuffed.
For the first time, he didn't fight.
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