Chapter 12 - BROTHERS
I raised my gun.
Matteo smiled.
“You always were predictable.”
“You're not leaving this building.”
“Actually, Gabriel…”
He looked around.
“You're the one who isn't leaving.”
Gunmen emerged from every entrance.
Vincent stepped in front of me.
Rafael did the same.
Elena pulled Isabella and the children behind a steel column.
Matteo slowly walked forward.
“I don't want your death.”
“You've tried to kill me three times.”
“I wanted you frightened.”
“Why?”
“Because fear makes people honest.”
He stopped.
“You took my inheritance.”
“I didn't know you existed.”
“You had everything.”
“I had nothing.”
“You had our father's name.”
“And you had his hatred.”
Matteo's smile disappeared.
“He locked me away.”
“Why?”
“Because I wasn't obedient.”
Rafael looked at him.
“You murdered him.”
Matteo's eyes hardened.
“He deserved it.”
Then he looked at me.
“But you…”
He pointed.
“You were his favorite.”
I shook my head.
“I didn't choose that.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“You simply benefited from it.”
Matteo pulled a folder from his coat.
Inside were photographs.
My childhood.
My father teaching me to shoot.
My father giving me my first business.
My father standing beside me at my twenty-first birthday.
Then another photograph.
A boy.
Me and Matteo.
We were maybe seven.
I stared.
“I don't remember this.”
“Because your father erased you from each other's lives.”
I looked at Rafael.
“Why?”
“Because your father feared what would happen if you two became close.”
Matteo laughed bitterly.
“He was right.”
Suddenly Daniel stepped out.
“Stop.”
I turned.
“Daniel!”
My son looked at Matteo.
“You're the bad man.”
Matteo smiled.
“Hello, Daniel.”
Daniel didn't move.
“You hurt Elena.”
“Yes.”
“You tried to hurt Daddy.”
“Yes.”
Daniel's little face hardened.
“But you don't know Daddy.”
Matteo's expression changed.
“What?”
“He doesn't hate you.”
Silence.
Daniel continued:
“He told me people who are bad can still choose to be good.”
I stared at my son.
Matteo looked shaken.
Then his face hardened again.
“Children don't understand power.”
Daniel looked at him.
“My dad does.”
Matteo raised his weapon.
I moved.
Gunfire erupted.
Vincent tackled Matteo.
Rafael fired toward the ceiling.
Everyone scattered.
I grabbed Daniel.
Then a bullet struck Rafael.
“Dad!”
Elena screamed.
Rafael collapsed.
Matteo escaped through the rear door.
I ran after him.
But he disappeared.
I returned to Rafael.
Blood spread across his chest.
He looked at me.
“Don't chase him.”
“Why?”
“He wants you angry.”
“Who shot you?”
Rafael smiled weakly.
“Not Matteo.”
I froze.
“Then who?”
His eyes moved toward Vincent.
I looked.
Vincent was holding his weapon.
But he wasn't looking at Rafael.
He was looking at Isabella.
And Isabella was terrified.
Rafael whispered:
“The Black Ledger still has one leader.”
“Who?”
May you like
He closed his eyes.
“The person who raised Daniel.”
