Chapter 9 - The Standoff
The quiet Swiss street was instantly transformed into a tense, heavily armed standoff.
Caleb slowly reached for the weapon inside his jacket, but a dozen laser sights immediately locked onto his chest.
“Don't do it, Caleb,” Evelyn warned quietly.
She turned to face her husband, her expression completely unreadable.
“How did you find me, Dominic?”
Dominic took a slow step forward, his eyes fixed entirely on her pregnant stomach.
“You’re wearing my dead son’s mother’s ring,” he said, his voice breaking slightly.
Evelyn frowned, looking down at her left hand.
She had pawned her massive diamond wedding ring months ago, but she had kept the simple, silver band Dominic had given her in private.
“The ring has a microscopic GPS tracker embedded in the band, Evelyn,” Dominic explained.
“I had it installed the day I bought it, to make sure you were always safe.”
Evelyn let out a harsh, bitter laugh.
“Safe?”
“You chose to let me fall to my death, Dominic.”
“You chose vengeance over the woman carrying your child.”
Dominic’s face twisted in agony.
“I chose Vanessa because I knew she was the only one who could lead me to the ledger!” he shouted, losing his legendary composure.
“I knew the masked man was Caleb, Evelyn!”
“I recognized his voice modifier!”
Evelyn froze, staring at him in complete shock.
“I knew you were safe, because Caleb would never actually hurt you,” Dominic confessed, stepping closer.
“I played along so Vanessa would confess to knowing where the ledger was on tape.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small audio recorder.
“I have her full confession, Evelyn.”
“I know my father and your father tried to frame you.”
“I know they tried to kill our baby.”
Evelyn’s mind raced wildly, trying to process the massive revelation.
Dominic hadn't betrayed her.
He had outplayed the conspirators to protect her.
“Then why are your men pointing guns at us?” Caleb demanded, keeping a tight grip on the briefcase.
Dominic looked at Caleb, his eyes hardening instantly.
“Because you stole the ledger, and I need it to destroy my father.”
“Hand it over, Caleb.”
Caleb shook his head.
“This ledger is going to the FBI, Dominic.”
“It takes down the entire empire, including you.”
Dominic drew his own weapon and leveled it at Caleb’s head.
“I won't let you put my wife and child in federal witness protection for the rest of their lives.”
“Give me the ledger, or I kill you right now.”
Evelyn stepped directly between them, shielding Caleb with her body.
“If you shoot him, you have to shoot me too, Dominic.”
Dominic stared at her, the gun trembling slightly in his hand.
He loved her.
He loved her more than his own life.
He slowly lowered the weapon, defeat washing over his exhausted face.
“Take it,” Dominic whispered.
“Burn the empire to the ground.”
He turned around and signaled his men to stand down and clear a path.
Evelyn watched him walk away, feeling a sudden, intense surge of heartbreak.
May you like
He was actually letting her go.
Before Dominic could reach his SUV, a single, suppressed gunshot echoed through the quiet street.
