Chapter 3 - Sins of the Father
The interior of the armored car felt suddenly devoid of oxygen.
"Nobody wants to kill a five-year-old girl," I argued desperately.
"I am a pediatric nurse, we do not have enemies."
Dominic poured a glass of water from a small console and handed it to Lily.
"Your late husband, Mark, was not just a used car salesman," Dominic said softly.
I stared at him, my mind struggling to process the mention of my dead husband.
Mark had died in a tragic drunk driving accident three years ago.
"What does Mark have to do with this?" I demanded.
"Mark was the lead accountant for the Falcone crime family," Dominic revealed.
The words hit me like a physical blow to the chest.
"You are lying," I whispered, shaking my head in denial.
"He stole forty million dollars from them before he conveniently crashed his car into the river."
Dominic leaned forward, his dark eyes filled with grim certainty.
"The Falcone family never recovered the digital ledger containing their money."
I pulled Lily tighter against my side, trying to shield her from the horrible truth.
"Mark is dead, and we have absolutely nothing of his left."
"They believe he hid the encryption key somewhere inside your apartment."
The driver took a sharp turn, tires squealing against the wet asphalt.
"If they want to search my tiny apartment, they can have it," I cried.
Dominic shook his head slowly.
"They already tore your apartment apart three hours ago, Elena."
My stomach dropped as I remembered who was supposed to be watching Lily.
"Missus Delaney," I gasped, tears finally spilling over my eyelashes.
"My men found your babysitter unconscious on the floor, which is why your daughter walked out the front door."
Dominic looked out the tinted window at the passing city lights.
"Lily taking a taxi to the restaurant is the only reason she is still alive right now."
My phone suddenly vibrated aggressively in my scrub pocket.
I pulled it out and saw an unknown caller ID flashing on the screen.
I answered it with a trembling hand, putting it on speaker so Dominic could hear.
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"Hello, Elena, it has been a very long time," a chillingly familiar male voice said.
It was Mark.
