Chapter 7 - THE BETRAYAL INSIDE
Marco's investigation began with the people he trusted most.
That was his mistake.
The first betrayal came from Daniel.
At 2:17 in the afternoon, security cameras showed someone entering the estate.
Marco reviewed the footage.
The person wore a hood.
He moved like a professional.
Marco paused the recording.
"Zoom."
Daniel enlarged the image.
Marco stared.
"That's impossible."
The man removed his hood.
It was Daniel.
Marco turned slowly.
Daniel was standing behind him.
"I can explain."
Marco reached for his gun.
"Don't."
Daniel raised both hands.
"I never intended to hurt them."
"Then why were you inside my house?"
"Because someone ordered me to find the girl."
"Who?"
Daniel swallowed.
"Your father."
Silence.
Marco stared at him.
"My father is dead."
"No."
Daniel's voice shook.
"He's alive."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Marco stepped closer.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because he has my daughter."
Marco stopped.
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"He threatened her."
Marco lowered his weapon slightly.
"You should have come to me."
"I was afraid."
"So was I."
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
"There's another problem."
"What?"
"The estate isn't secure."
Marco's eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
"Someone inside has been transmitting the location."
Elena heard that from the hallway.
She stepped forward.
"Who?"
Daniel looked at her.
"We don't know."
Mia appeared behind Elena.
Marco immediately moved toward them.
"Go upstairs."
"But—"
"Now."
Elena took Mia's hand.
As they walked away, Sofia stopped her.
"Elena."
"What?"
"If anything happens, take Mia and run."
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
Sofia pressed a small envelope into Elena's hand.
"Don't open it unless Marco is dead."
Elena stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because inside is the truth about Mia's father."
Before Elena could answer, the lights went out.
Again.
But this time Marco was ready.
Gunfire exploded outside.
Windows shattered.
Men shouted.
Marco pushed Sofia behind the fireplace wall.
"Stay down."
Daniel fired toward the entrance.
Elena dragged Mia upstairs.
They reached a bedroom.
Then heard footsteps.
Coming closer.
Elena locked the door.
Mia whispered:
"Mommy."
"Shh."
The handle moved.
Elena looked around.
No escape.
Then a voice came through the door.
"Elena."
She froze.
It was familiar.
A voice she hadn't heard in five years.
Her hand covered her mouth.
Mia looked at her.
"Mommy?"
The voice came again.
"Elena, it's me."
She opened the door.
Lucas stood there.
Alive.
Older.
Bruised.
But alive.
Elena couldn't breathe.
Lucas looked at Mia.
His eyes filled with tears.
"Is that..."
Elena nodded.
"Our daughter."
Lucas dropped to his knees.
Mia stared at him.
"Who are you?"
Lucas smiled through tears.
"I'm someone who has loved you for a very long time."
Elena began crying.
"You were alive."
"I tried to come back."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because they had you watched."
"Who?"
Lucas looked over his shoulder.
Then whispered:
"My father."
A loud explosion shook the house.
Lucas grabbed Elena's arm.
"We have to go."
"Where?"
"Underground."
Elena stared at him.
"You know a way out?"
Lucas nodded.
"I built it."
They hurried through a hidden passage.
Behind them, Marco fought his way toward the room.
When he arrived, Elena was gone.
Mia was gone.
Lucas was gone.
And Daniel was standing alone.
Marco pointed his gun at him.
"Where are they?"
Daniel looked terrified.
"I don't know."
Marco's phone rang.
He answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
"Your brother has the girl."
Marco's jaw tightened.
"Where?"
"Come alone."
"Who are you?"
The voice laughed.
Then:
"You already know."
The call ended.
Marco stared at the screen.
He knew that voice.
He had heard it in childhood.
At dinner.
In nightmares.
May you like
In every memory he had tried to bury.
His father.
