Chapter 6 - The Devil's Bargain
Matteo's blood ran completely cold at the mention of his sister, Sofia.
She was an innocent college student who knew absolutely nothing about the dark realities of his empire.
"If you touch a single hair on her head, Marco, I will carve you into pieces," Matteo threatened.
"Save the dramatic posturing for someone who hasn't managed your security for eleven years," Marco laughed.
"You have one hour to bring the data card to the abandoned steel mill on the river."
The line went dead, leaving Matteo in a state of paralyzing rage.
He threw the burner phone against the wall, shattering it into pieces.
"He will kill her the moment you hand over the drive," Elena warned softly.
"I know," Matteo said, running his hands through his messy hair.
"But I have absolutely no other choice."
Elena closed the laptop and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Yes, you do," she said.
"We are going to make a copy of this drive and send it to every major news outlet in the country."
Matteo stared at her in shock.
"If we do that, the Vipers will have nothing left to lose," he argued.
"If we do that, Marco loses all his leverage over the corrupt police force," she countered.
She began typing furiously, setting up an automated dead-man's switch on a secure server.
"If we do not enter a password every thirty minutes, the files go public," she explained.
Matteo realized the brilliance of her ruthless strategy.
He walked over to her and gently placed his hand over hers.
"You are risking your life for a family that isn't yours," he whispered.
"I am finishing the job my brother started," she replied, her voice softening.
The space between them vanished as Matteo leaned in and kissed her.
It was a desperate, fierce kiss, born of adrenaline and the terrifying reality that they might both die tonight.
Elena kissed him back, pulling him close, wrapping her arms around his neck.
When they finally broke apart, the air in the cheap motel room was electric.
"Let's go get your sister," Elena said, grabbing her gun.
They drove to the abandoned steel mill, the rain hammering against the windshield of the stolen van.
The massive industrial building loomed in the darkness like a rusted iron beast.
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Matteo parked the van and they approached the towering metal doors on foot.
As Matteo pushed the heavy door open, a blinding spotlight hit them directly in the face.
