Chapter 226

Victoria Kane stepped out of Kane Industries at precisely 6:30 PM, flanked by two security guards who had been assigned to protect her after James’s direct threat. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sidewalk as her black sedan waited at the curb, engine running, ready to take her to meet Camille for dinner at their favorite restaurant.

Camille emerged from the building seconds later, her own security detail creating a protective barrier around her as she moved toward the car. The past twenty-four hours had been exhausting – coordinating with the FBI about the manhunt for James, visiting Alexander in the hospital, implementing new security protocols for everyone James had threatened.

“Ready?” Victoria asked as Camille approached the sedan.

“More than ready,” Camille replied, sliding into the back seat beside Victoria. “I need a normal evening after everything that’s happened.”

The security guards performed their final check of the vehicle and surrounding area before taking their positions in the escort car that would follow them to the restaurant. Everything appeared routine, professional, secure. Victoria’s head of security had assured her that James Whitfield would not be able to get close to them with these precautions in place.

Victoria’s sedan pulled away from Kane Industries and merged into the heavy Manhattan traffic. The escort car followed at a discrete distance, maintaining visual contact while avoiding the appearance of an obvious security convoy.