Chapter 8 - THE RAVEN’S LAST MOVE
The truth finally emerged.
The Black Ravens had been building their organization for decades.
Their goal was not simply money.
It was control.
They had manipulated businesses, officials, and criminal organizations until entire cities unknowingly depended on them.
Gabriel's father had discovered them.
Claire's father had helped expose them.
Both men had paid the price.
But the evidence had never been destroyed.
It had been hidden.
Inside the original Kane ledger.
And Claire's mother knew where it was.
She was alive.
Living under another name in Michigan.
When Claire heard the news, she couldn't speak.
“My mother?”
Gabriel nodded.
“She has been hiding for eighteen years.”
“Why didn't she find me?”
“Because she believed the Ravens were watching you.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“She thought abandoning me would protect me.”
Gabriel took her hand.
“You were never abandoned because you weren't loved.”
She looked at him.
“You really believe that?”
“I do.”
They traveled north the following morning.
Claire finally met her mother.
Evelyn Bennett was older than Claire remembered.
Her hair was silver.
Her hands trembled.
But the moment she saw her daughter, she collapsed into her arms.
“I wanted to come home.”
Claire cried.
“Then why didn't you?”
“Because I thought if they found me, they'd kill you.”
Claire held her tighter.
“You should have trusted me.”
“I was afraid.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“So was I.”
Behind them, Gabriel watched silently.
Evelyn looked at him.
“You're Gabriel Kane.”
“Yes.”
“You have your father's eyes.”
Gabriel's expression hardened.
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“Your father wasn't the monster people said he was.”
Gabriel looked away.
“He made mistakes.”
“Yes.”
“But he tried to fix them.”
She handed him an old metal box.
Inside was the ledger.
Gabriel opened it.
Names.
Accounts.
Payments.
Politicians.
Judges.
Police officials.
Businessmen.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Damian Cross.
Gabriel's oldest enemy.
Mason swore under his breath.
“That's impossible.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“He was the man behind everything.”
Gabriel closed the book.
Then Claire noticed another name.
Her father's.
Beside it was a handwritten note.
PROTECTED WITNESS.
She looked at Gabriel.
“My father wasn't killed because he betrayed them.”
“No.”
“He was killed because he refused to cooperate.”
Gabriel nodded.
Claire cried silently.
Then a gunshot shattered the window.
Evelyn screamed.
Gabriel grabbed Claire.
Mason returned fire from the doorway.
The attack lasted less than a minute.
When it ended, Gabriel looked at Claire.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Your mother?”
“She's okay.”
Gabriel took a breath.
Then his phone rang.
Damian Cross.
Gabriel answered.
“You have something I want.”
Gabriel stared at the ledger.
“You're finished.”
Cross laughed.
“No.”
His voice became cold.
“I'm only getting started.”
A pause.
Then:
“I have Eli.”
Claire's blood froze.
Gabriel's expression became terrifying.
“You're lying.”
“Am I?”
A baby's cry came through the phone.
Claire collapsed against Gabriel.
“Eli.”
Cross spoke softly.
“Bring me the ledger.”
Gabriel's eyes hardened.
“Where?”
“Midnight.”
“Where?”
“The place where your father died.”
The call ended.
Gabriel looked at Claire.
She was shaking.
He wrapped both arms around her.
“We're getting him back.”
“How?”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
“Together.”
