Chapter 7 - The Choice
Khloe disappeared for three days.
Nicholas didn't search for her.
He wanted to.
Every instinct told him to find her.
But he had promised.
Instead, he investigated his father.
What he discovered nearly destroyed him.
Twenty years earlier, his father had secretly negotiated with the Rossi family.
The agreement was supposed to end a territorial conflict.
But someone had sabotaged it.
Someone had arranged the deaths of both families' key members.
And the person who benefited most was—
Senator Richard Hayes.
The same man who had attended the gala.
The same man who had laughed while Khloe cleaned champagne from the floor.
He had built his political empire on the chaos.
Nicholas understood.
The war wasn't between Rossi and Moretti.
It had been engineered.
He called Khloe.
She answered.
“I know.”
Nicholas froze.
“You already knew?”
“I found my father's private recordings.”
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Can I see you?”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
They met at an old church outside the city.
Khloe looked exhausted.
Nicholas walked toward her.
“I found the truth.”
“So did I.”
They exchanged information.
The pieces finally connected.
Hayes had manipulated both families.
He had ordered the Rossi massacre.
He had arranged attacks on Nicholas.
And now he wanted the Rossi inheritance.
But there was one problem.
Khloe had to activate it.
She refused.
Then Hayes kidnapped someone.
Not Khloe.
Nicholas's younger sister.
The message was simple.
Bring Khloe.
Nicholas wanted to go alone.
Khloe refused.
“This ends tonight.”
“You could die.”
“So could your sister.”
They returned to the city.
The final confrontation began in an abandoned financial building.
Hayes was waiting.
He had dozens of armed men.
Julian stood beside him.
Khloe looked at her brother.
“Why?”
Julian looked away.
“I made a deal.”
“You sold me.”
“I thought I was saving myself.”
“You were my brother.”
“I know.”
Hayes raised his gun.
“Enough family drama.”
He ordered Khloe forward.
She walked.
Then stopped.
“You want the Rossi inheritance?”
“Yes.”
“You'll never have it.”
Hayes smiled.
“Then I'll kill everyone you love.”
Khloe looked at Nicholas.
Something passed between them.
No words.
No explanation.
Just trust.
She dropped the device in her hand.
The building lights suddenly shut off.
Nicholas's men moved.
Chaos erupted.
Khloe reached Hayes.
He fired.
She dodged.
Julian stepped between them.
The bullet struck him.
“Julian!”
He fell.
Hayes ran.
Nicholas chased him.
Khloe knelt beside her brother.
Julian was bleeding.
“I was jealous,” he whispered.
“I know.”
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
His eyes filled.
“But I never stopped loving you.”
Khloe held his hand.
“Then stay.”
May you like
He closed his eyes.
“I'll try.”
