Chapter 8 - The Ledger
Lily screamed as her father tore her favorite toy away from her.
Mark completely ignored her tears, pulling a sharp pocket knife from his expensive trench coat.
He sliced the gray rabbit open with ruthless efficiency, sending white stuffing flying into the rainy wind.
Deep inside the toy, he found a small, waterproof metallic capsule.
"Forty million dollars, safely hidden in plain sight for three entire years," Mark laughed triumphantly.
"You are a monster for putting your own daughter in danger," I yelled, stepping in front of Lily.
"I am a survivor, Elena, and this money buys me a new life in Europe," Mark sneered.
He pocketed the capsule and pointed his heavy pistol directly at my chest.
"Unfortunately, I cannot leave any loose ends behind to talk to the police."
I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms tightly around Lily, waiting for the fatal gunshot.
The loud crack of a weapon fired, but the bullet did not hit me.
Mark cried out in pain and dropped his gun, clutching his bleeding wrist.
Dominic stepped onto the roof, completely drenched in rain and covered in blood.
"You have absolutely no idea how hard it is to kill me, Mark," Dominic growled.
He had somehow survived the mercenaries inside and tracked us perfectly.
Mark panicked, scrambling backward toward the edge of the slippery roof.
"The money is mine, Dominic, I earned it," Mark screamed desperately.
Dominic walked forward slowly, like a predator cornering a wounded animal.
"You stole from the cartel, you betrayed your family, and you threatened the woman I care about."
Mark reached into his pocket, pulling out the metallic capsule with a trembling hand.
"If you take one more step, I will throw the drive off the roof into the river," Mark threatened.
Dominic stopped, his gun still aimed steadily at Mark's chest.
The financial ruin of the Falcone family was contained entirely in that small capsule.
"Let them walk away right now, and you can keep the money," Dominic offered surprisingly.
Mark laughed, a manic, terrified sound that echoed in the storm.
May you like
"You think I am stupid enough to turn my back on the boss of the Moretti family?"
Mark suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Lily by the hood of her red coat and pulling her toward the ledge.
