Chapter 6 - The Enemy Inside
Marcus Bell had one weakness.
He believed everyone could be bought.
Lorenzo knew that.
So did I.
But Marcus had Elena, and that made the situation unpredictable.
He demanded a trade.
Leo for Elena.
Lorenzo refused.
Marcus sent a photograph.
Elena was tied to a chair.
Blood covered her forehead.
I stared at the picture.
“She'll die.”
Lorenzo's expression didn't change.
“She chose this.”
“She is your sister.”
“She betrayed us.”
“She is still family.”
He looked at me.
“You sound like Sophia.”
I froze.
“How did she sound?”
“Like you.”
He walked away.
I followed.
“Lorenzo.”
He stopped.
“Maybe Marcus doesn't want Leo.”
He turned.
“What?”
“He wants you.”
Silence.
“He needs something to force you out.”
Lorenzo thought for several seconds.
“You're right.”
He looked at the photograph.
“Marcus knows I won't surrender Leo.”
“So?”
“He'll create a situation where I have no choice.”
We traced the location.
An abandoned marina.
Lorenzo planned the rescue.
I was ordered to stay behind.
I refused.
“No.”
“Hunter.”
“If Elena knows where Marcus is, she may know who else is involved.”
“This is dangerous.”
“So is sitting here waiting.”
He looked at me.
Then sighed.
“Fine.”
We went.
The marina was silent.
Too silent.
Lorenzo's men spread out.
Then the lights came on.
Marcus appeared.
Elena stood beside him.
Leo wasn't there.
Lorenzo's weapon was raised.
“Where's my son?”
Marcus smiled.
“Safe.”
“Show me.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“Hunter.”
I stepped forward.
“Where is he?”
Marcus smiled.
“Still asking the wrong question.”
He pointed at Lorenzo.
“The question is why does your brother's baby need your maid?”
Elena looked at me.
“You still don't know?”
My stomach tightened.
“Know what?”
She laughed.
“Your precious little miracle isn't the only secret.”
Lorenzo grabbed her.
“Talk.”
Elena smiled.
“Sophia wasn't innocent.”
I stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
“She knew Marcus planned the bombing.”
Lorenzo froze.
“That isn't true.”
“She knew.”
Elena looked at me.
“And she made a deal.”
“With whom?”
“Your baby's father.”
The world went silent.
I could barely breathe.
“My baby's father is dead.”
Elena smiled.
“Are you sure?”
A gunshot exploded.
Marcus dropped.
Lorenzo pushed me down.
Chaos erupted.
His men returned fire.
Elena ran.
I crawled behind a concrete barrier.
Then I heard a voice.
A familiar voice.
A voice I hadn't heard in months.
“Hunter.”
I looked up.
A man stood across the marina.
Older.
Thinner.
Alive.
My baby's father.
Daniel.
I stared at him.
“No.”
May you like
He smiled.
“I knew you'd recognize me.”
