Millionaire Marriage

The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 19

The car sped down the winding road, the sound of the tires gripping the asphalt a comforting rhythm against the chaos they had just escaped. Ava leaned back against the seat, her heart still racing, trying to process the events that had unfolded. The adrenaline was slowly fading, leaving a hollow ache in her chest.

"Where are we going?" David asked, his voice shaky but determined.

The driver, a tall man with a scruffy beard and kind eyes, glanced back at them. "There's a motel a few miles up ahead. It's not fancy, but it's safe for now. We can lay low until we figure out our next move."

"Thank you," Ava said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning inside her. "We really appreciate it."

"Just doing what I can," the driver replied, his gaze focused on the road. "You all look like you've been through hell."

"We have," Ethan replied, his tone grave. "But we're not out of the woods yet."

As they drove, Ava felt a sense of calm begin to settle over her. They were away from immediate danger, at least for the moment. But the shadows of their past still loomed large.

Minutes later, they arrived at the motel, a small, unassuming building nestled among the trees. The neon sign flickered above, casting an eerie glow over the parking lot.

"Stay close," Ethan instructed as they all piled out of the car. "We don't want to draw attention."

They followed the driver into the lobby, a dingy space with faded wallpaper and an old reception desk. An elderly woman looked up from behind the counter, her eyes widening at the sight of the group.

"Room for four?" the driver asked, keeping his voice low.

"Sure thing," the woman replied, her voice gravelly. "You all just passing through?"

"Something like that," Ethan said, his tone evasive. "We just need a place to stay for the night."

The woman nodded, handing the driver a key with a smile. "Room 12. It's clean enough. I'll keep my eye on things for you."

"Thanks," the driver said, giving her a grateful nod before leading Ava, David, and Lisa outside.

As they reached the room, Ava felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. She could hardly believe they had escaped, but a part of her knew that the real fight was still ahead.

Ethan unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a small, dimly lit room with two beds and a tiny bathroom.

"Okay, this will have to do for now," Ethan said, stepping inside. "Let's get settled and come up with a plan."

Ava moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. The night was quiet, but she felt a restless energy thrumming beneath the surface. "What's the next step?" she asked, turning back to Ethan.

"We need to figure out who's after David and why," Ethan replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "If we can get to the bottom of this, maybe we can find a way to keep you safe."

David sank onto one of the beds, running a hand through his hair. "I don't understand why they're after me. I've kept my head down, stayed out of trouble."

Ava sat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his knee. "We'll figure it out. You're not alone in this anymore."

Ethan paced the small room, his brow furrowed in thought. "We also need to find a way to contact someone who can help. Maybe a lawyer or a private investigator."

"Do you know anyone?" Lisa asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"I might have a contact," Ethan replied, his expression serious. "But we'll need to be careful about how we communicate. We can't risk being traced."