Chapter 3 - The Family Debt
"Where is he?" I demanded, dropping all pretense of professional calm.
Adrian smiled that same arrogant, hollow smile he had used at the dinner table.
"He is currently resting in a very secure, very private location," he replied.
He tossed the bloody wallet onto the ground at my feet.
"You see, David got a little greedy with the supply lines," Adrian explained smoothly.
"He diverted three million dollars in naval hardware to a private buyer."
"I found out about it, and I graciously covered up his tracks."
My stomach turned as the pieces finally clicked into place.
"You blackmailed my mother," I realized aloud.
"I offered her a trade," he corrected, taking a step closer to me.
"David stays out of a military prison, and your mother delivers the untouchable DoD investigator right to my dinner table."
He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen once.
He turned it around to show me a live video feed.
David was tied to a metal chair in a dark, concrete room, bruised and unconscious.
"You are going to officially close the investigation into my offshore accounts," Adrian commanded.
"You are going to sign a document stating you found zero evidence of corruption."
"If you do not, I will send the evidence of David's theft to the FBI."
"And then, my men will make sure David never wakes up from his nap."
I looked at my brother's battered face on the tiny screen, feeling a surge of pure, violent rage.
"Okay," I whispered, lowering my head in fake submission.
"Good girl," he sneered, grabbing my arm again.
"Now get in the car, we are going to visit a friend of mine who talks too much."
May you like
He shoved me toward a black SUV waiting at the edge of the parking lot.
I slid into the leather seat, secretly reaching into my boot to disengage the safety on my concealed ankle holster.
