Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
Vanessa did not look like a grieving fiancée.
She wore a pristine white coat and flawless makeup.
Four heavily armed men stepped out of the vehicle and aimed their rifles at my chest.
I stood my ground in the pouring rain.
Vanessa told me to get into the car if I wanted Maya and Lily to survive the night.
I knew Vincent must have given her my approximate location before I destroyed the tracker.
I slowly opened the door and slid into the leather seat beside her.
The car drove away into the dark city streets.
Vanessa poured herself a glass of champagne from the car’s mini-bar.
She admitted that she had known about Claire and Lily for six months.
She confessed that she had ordered Vincent to poison Claire slowly so it would look like organ failure.
I clenched my fists, fighting the overwhelming urge to snap her neck.
Vanessa said she did not want a war with the Moretti loyalists.
She offered me a simple, brutal deal.
She demanded that I sign over the entire Moretti empire to the Romano family tonight.
In exchange, she would provide the real evidence clearing my name and allow Lily to live in a distant orphanage.
I looked out the window at the passing city lights.
I told her I needed a pen.
Vanessa smiled victoriously and reached into her designer bag to retrieve a gold pen.
I did not take the pen.
Instead, I grabbed her wrist, twisted it violently, and slammed her head into the bulletproof glass.
She screamed as I disarmed the guard in the front passenger seat.
I pressed the stolen gun to the back of the driver's head.
I ordered him to stop the car immediately.
The driver slammed on the brakes, throwing everyone forward.
I kicked the door open and dragged Vanessa out into the pouring rain by her hair.
I pressed the barrel of the gun directly under her chin.
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Then, a laser sight appeared on the center of my own chest.
Vincent stepped out of the shadows of the alleyway, holding a sniper rifle aimed right at my heart.
