Page 137 of The Devil's Heir

"I need to withdraw some funds, please."

"Of course," she states, then slides a piece of paper over to me. "If you could fill out your account information and the amount you would like to withdraw, I'll be happy to help you."

I smile at the woman and start writing my name and account number. I've never used my account because I never needed to, so I'm not sure how much is in it. Feeling a little embarrassed, I give the teller a little smile.

"Could you please tell me what my balance is? I don't remember where I'm sitting at the moment."

"No problem," the woman says, smiling. She reads the numbers off the slip of paper and types them in. "Oh, I think you will be fine, Miss Sumner. Unless you're closing the account, you can withdraw whatever you need."

The teller turns her screen toward me, and I think my eyes actually bug out when I see all the zeroes. Jarek deposited two point five million dollars into an account for me.

Clearing my throat, I smile once again. "Of course, I don't need that much." I rub my belly and say, "It must be pregnancy brain."

"How far along are you?" The teller asks as I write down the amount of my withdrawal.

"Oh, I still have a few months to go yet."

Two hundred grand should do. I'd rather have more, but I just need to get on my feet, and then I'll be fine. When I hand her the slip, she glances at it and smiles.

"I'll need to grab my manager to approve this, but it won't take long. Can I see your ID?" the teller asks.

I hand her whatever she needs and then wait. Thankfully, Jarek took care of all my important documents when I moved in with him. Since I had fled Heath's, I had nothing to prove my identity, which is why it was hard to find a real job.

My fingers strum impatiently on the counter while my eyes stay trained on the door. I'm worried Jarek will get here before we can finish the transaction, and I really don't want to make a public scene.

The teller approaches the window, accompanied by another middle-aged man who smiles kindly at me. After asking me a few questions, ensuring I know the info on my ID, and he signs off on the transaction, the teller counts out the money for me and sticks it in a zip-up shoulder bag.

I'm about to thank the woman when I feel a hard object pressed into the side of my stomach. A rancid smell invades my nose as a deep, raspy voice sounds close to my ear.

"If you move one inch, I'm going to shoot."

"What—" I try asking what he wants, but he growls at me.

"Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch, and do as I say!" The stranger then addresses the teller, "Get everybody the fuck out of here, or else I'll shoot you before I shoot the brat."

The teller gives me an apologetic look before running away, ordering everyone to leave the bank. I don't understand what this guy's deal is—isn't he supposed to keep everyone hostage?

"You c-can have my money. I-I don't need it…"

"Oh, I'm going to take your money, alright, but that's not why I'm here." The man goes silent as he waits for the bank to clear.

There are sirens closing in, and I sigh with relief that someone had the mind to press the button to call for help. I'll just wait it out and do everything he asks of me. It doesn't take long at all for the bank to become surrounded by police.

A phone rings nearby, and the guy answers it. I still haven't seen his face; he's kept my back to him the whole time.

"Yeah?" I hear him answer. He remains quiet for a beat and then states, "I want to talk to Jarek Falcon. Send him in here; otherwise, his woman is as good as dead."

What the fuck? How the hell did he know who I was?

I feel a vibration coming from my purse, but I barely hear it. It must be Jarek, and although I wouldn't have answered it ten minutes ago, I'd give anything to answer it now. I'm torn about having him come here and having him stay away, but I have to think of the baby, and I know he'd give his life to save his son.

Not even fifteen minutes later, Jarek bursts through the bank's front door, calling out, "Liliana!"

"Here!" I call back, but my hair is grabbed, and my head is yanked back.

"Shut the fuck up!" the guy sneers at me, then points his gun at Jarek. "Stay right there, Mr. Falcon."

Suddenly, a deafening blast shatters the air around us, and the building rumbles beneath my feet. My ears ring as I stare in horror—Jarek is propelled sideways by the explosion. I have no time to react because the guy shoves me, sending me sprawling. My head cracks against the counter, and everything tilts. I hit the floor, dazed and gasping.