Chapter 6 - The Devil's Ransom
I stared at the ransom note, my vision blurring with fresh tears.
The Moretti family did not want to assassinate Sebastian themselves.
They wanted to break him by forcing his own savior to become his executioner.
I looked up at Sebastian, who was watching me with calm, calculating eyes.
"They want me to kill you," I whispered.
"I know," Sebastian replied without a hint of surprise.
He wheeled himself over to the window and looked out at the dark city skyline.
"Victor Moretti is a coward who loves dramatic irony," he muttered.
I stood up, gripping the ransom note so tightly my knuckles turned white.
"What do we do?" I asked, my voice cracking.
"I cannot lose my baby, Sebastian."
He turned his wheelchair to face me.
"You are not going to lose him, Clare."
Sebastian placed his massive hands on the armrests of his wheelchair.
His jaw tightened, and the veins in his neck bulged with immense effort.
I watched in absolute shock as his arms trembled under his own weight.
Slowly, agonizingly, Sebastian lifted his body an inch out of the seat.
His legs, dead for two decades, twitched with a violent spasm.
He could not stand fully, but the progress was nothing short of a medical miracle.
He fell back into the chair, exhausted and breathing heavily.
"Your therapy worked," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"I am getting my strength back, but I need more time to fight them directly."
He looked at the handgun lying on the floor where I had dropped it.
"Pick up the weapon, Clare," he ordered.
I hesitated, but his tone left no room for argument.
I picked up the heavy pistol and held it nervously by my side.
Sebastian looked me dead in the eye, his expression completely serious.
"You are going to do exactly what Victor asked."
He told me I was going to contact the Moretti family and arrange a meeting.
My heart raced as I tried to process his insane command.
"I am going to hand you over?" I asked in disbelief.
"No," Sebastian replied softly.
May you like
He pointed to his own chest.
"You are going to shoot me."
