Chapter 7 - The Impossible Choice
Dominic’s heart slammed against his ribs as he stared at the horrifying scene.
His mother, Maria Caruso, looked frail and terrified in the pouring rain.
Carlo Moretti stepped out from the shadows, a sadistic smile playing on his lips.
"Drop the weapon, Dominic, or she dies right now," Carlo shouted over the storm.
Dominic’s finger hovered over the trigger, his mind calculating impossible odds.
If he fired, he might kill Carlo, but the dozen guards would slaughter his mother.
He slowly lowered his weapon and let it drop onto the wet concrete.
"Kick it away," Carlo ordered.
Dominic kicked the gun, holding his hands up in the air.
He walked slowly toward the center of the trap, water dripping from his ruined suit.
"Where is the child, Dominic?" Carlo demanded, stepping closer.
"Safe," Dominic lied smoothly.
"Sterling took her to a secure location before you killed him."
Carlo laughed, shaking his head in mock pity.
"You always were a terrible liar," Carlo sneered.
The mafia boss pulled a radio from his pocket and pressed the button.
"Bring the vehicle in," Carlo commanded into the device.
Two large headlights pierced the darkness as a familiar black SUV drove into the light.
It was Dominic's armored car, the one he had left Julian and Hannah inside.
A Moretti soldier stepped out of the driver's seat, holding Julian at gunpoint.
Another soldier dragged a weeping Hannah from the back seat.
And in the soldier's thick, tattooed arm was a crying baby Grace.
Dominic’s world shattered as he realized they had been completely outflanked.
"Julian tried to fight, but his injured arm made it very easy," Carlo mocked.
Julian looked at his brother, his face twisted in shame and anger.
"Now, here is the deal, Dominic," Carlo announced to the silent pier.
"You get to walk away with exactly one member of your family tonight."
Carlo pointed his gun at Maria, then at Julian, and finally at baby Grace.
"Choose who lives, and the rest die."
Dominic looked at his elderly mother, who was silently weeping.
He looked at his brother, who had already sacrificed so much for love.
And he looked at the innocent baby, crying for her mother.
"Take my life and let them all go," Dominic offered, stepping forward aggressively.
A Moretti guard immediately slammed the butt of a rifle into Dominic’s stomach, dropping him to his knees.
"You are not in control here," Carlo whispered, pressing the gun barrel to Dominic's head.
"Make the choice, or I will kill the baby first."
Dominic looked up at his brother in utter despair.
Julian met his eyes, and a very subtle, almost invisible nod passed between them.
Julian slowly turned his head to look at the shipping container hanging from a massive crane directly above Carlo’s head.
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Dominic suddenly realized that his brother hadn't lost the fight at the SUV.
Julian had let them get captured on purpose.
