Chapter 10 - A MOTHER'S SACRIFICE
Elena woke inside a car.
Antonio sat beside her.
"You betrayed me."
"You kidnapped my daughter."
"You lied about the trust."
"I didn't."
Antonio held up the document.
"Then why is this fake?"
Elena stared.
"Because the real one isn't on paper."
Antonio's eyes narrowed.
"Where?"
"Inside Lily."
He laughed.
"Don't play games."
"I memorized the access phrase."
"What is it?"
"I won't tell you."
Antonio grabbed her arm.
"Where is it?"
Elena looked him in the eyes.
"You're going to have to kill me."
He stared.
Then smiled.
"Maybe."
Meanwhile, Dominic and Lily were back at the estate.
Lily sat quietly.
"You didn't save Mom."
Dominic sat across from her.
"I'm going to."
"You promised."
"I know."
"You promised me."
"I know."
She looked angry.
For the first time, Dominic saw how much she had inherited from him.
The stubbornness.
The fire.
The refusal to surrender.
Dominic reached for her hand.
"I will bring her home."
Lily squeezed his fingers.
"Then I'll help."
"You stay here."
"No."
"Lily."
"You said I'm part of the family."
Dominic froze.
"Yes."
"Then I help."
He stared at his six-year-old daughter.
Then he smiled faintly.
"You're impossible."
"Mom says that too."
Detective Collins entered.
"We found Elena."
Dominic stood.
"Where?"
"An old Moretti property in Connecticut."
"How many men?"
"At least twenty."
Dominic reached for his coat.
Lily followed.
"No."
She stopped.
"Why?"
"Because this is dangerous."
"You said family stays together."
Dominic looked at her.
He had no answer.
Finally, he knelt.
"Then stay behind me."
Lily nodded.
The rescue began at midnight.
Rain hammered the estate.
Dominic's men surrounded the property.
Inside, Elena was tied to a chair.
Antonio stood before her.
"You have one last chance."
Elena remained silent.
He raised his gun.
Then—
the door exploded inward.
Dominic entered.
Antonio smiled.
"Brother."
Dominic raised his weapon.
"Let her go."
Antonio laughed.
"You always were predictable."
Then he saw Lily behind Dominic.
His smile disappeared.
"You brought her."
Dominic's voice became ice.
"You wanted her."
Antonio looked at the child.
Then at Dominic.
"You still don't understand."
"What?"
Antonio whispered:
"She's not the only heir."
Dominic froze.
May you like
Antonio smiled.
"Your father had another child."
