Chapter 14 - THE WOMAN EVERYONE BLAMED
Dominic found Elena at the old family cemetery.
She stood before his father's grave.
"You knew."
He approached slowly.
"About what?"
"Everything."
Elena turned.
"You finally read the letter."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted you alive."
"You knew Antonio was being controlled."
"Yes."
"By whom?"
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
"Your father."
Dominic froze.
"He was alive when I disappeared."
"What?"
"He staged his death."
Dominic stared at the grave.
"No."
"Yes."
"Where is he?"
Elena whispered:
"Right behind you."
Dominic turned.
An older man stood beneath an umbrella.
His father.
Alive.
Dominic's entire world collapsed.
The man smiled.
"Hello, son."
Dominic couldn't breathe.
"You."
His father looked at Elena.
"You kept my secrets."
Elena nodded.
"Because you threatened Lily."
"And you still protected her."
The old man smiled.
"That's why I always respected you."
Dominic raised his weapon.
"You destroyed my family."
His father shook his head.
"No."
He pointed toward the city.
"I built it."
Then he said:
"And now I'm taking it back."
Inside the old cemetery office, Sophia and Lily were being held.
Antonio stood beside them.
But he wasn't in control anymore.
Dominic's father was.
He looked at Lily.
"You are the key."
Lily stared back.
"No."
The old man smiled.
"You have your father's stubbornness."
"And my mom's."
He laughed.
"Perhaps."
Sophia whispered to Lily:
"Don't be scared."
Lily squeezed her hand.
"I'm not."
The old man turned.
"Why?"
Lily looked at him.
"Because Dad is coming."
The man laughed.
But outside—
sirens began to scream.
Then helicopters.
Then dozens of police vehicles surrounded the cemetery.
Detective Collins stepped from the lead car.
Dominic stood beside her.
His father looked toward the windows.
For the first time, fear appeared in his eyes.
Dominic walked inside.
"Let them go."
His father smiled.
"Or what?"
Dominic lowered his weapon.
"Nothing."
Everyone stared.
Dominic continued:
"I don't need to kill you."
He placed a folder on the table.
"I have your confession."
His father looked at it.
"And every account."
Another folder.
"And every recording."
Another.
"And the entire Black Ledger."
His father's face changed.
May you like
Dominic smiled.
"You're finished."
