Chapter 4 - “SHE IS YOUR BROTHER’S DAUGHTER”
“DON’T LET VINCENT TAKE HER!”
Sarah's scream echoed through Blackwood Estate.
Lucas turned toward the staircase.
For one brief second, Vincent's confident expression disappeared.
That was enough.
Lucas noticed.
His gun remained pointed at Vincent.
“Everyone out.”
The guards moved immediately.
Vincent laughed softly.
“Still giving orders before you understand the situation.”
Lucas didn't blink.
“Put your hands where I can see them.”
Vincent slowly raised both hands.
Emma remained frozen beside the table.
Lucas looked at her.
“Emma, come here.”
She didn't move.
Vincent smiled.
“She's afraid of you.”
Lucas's eyes sharpened.
“No.”
Emma whispered.
“I'm afraid of him.”
Vincent's smile vanished.
Lucas stepped between them.
“Good.”
He turned toward Emma.
“Come to me.”
This time she did.
She ran across the room and grabbed Lucas's coat.
Lucas felt her trembling.
He looked down at her.
“You're okay.”
Behind him, Vincent sighed.
“This is exactly why your father failed.”
Lucas turned.
“Don't talk about my father.”
“You're repeating his mistakes.”
“You're finished.”
Vincent laughed.
“You think killing me will answer your questions?”
Lucas stepped closer.
“I don't need answers from you.”
“Then you're going to kill the only person who knows why that child was hidden?”
Lucas stopped.
Vincent's eyes moved toward Emma.
“She isn't simply Richard's granddaughter.”
Lucas's expression changed.
“What else?”
Vincent smiled.
“She is the reason your father died.”
Silence.
Emma tightened her grip on Lucas's coat.
Lucas stared at Vincent.
“Explain.”
Vincent shook his head.
“Not here.”
Lucas grabbed him by the collar.
“You don't decide where we talk.”
Vincent leaned closer.
“Then listen carefully.”
His voice dropped.
“Seven years ago, your father discovered that someone inside the Blackwood organization had been stealing millions.”
Lucas's jaw tightened.
“Who?”
“Your father never found out.”
“Liar.”
Vincent's expression hardened.
“He suspected someone close to him.”
“Who?”
Vincent looked directly into Lucas's eyes.
“You.”
Lucas froze.
Vincent continued.
“Richard believed you were being manipulated.”
“By whom?”
“By your mother.”
Lucas released him.
“What?”
Vincent straightened his jacket.
“Your mother knew about Sarah.”
Lucas's eyes narrowed.
“What did she know?”
“That Sarah had a daughter.”
“Why would my mother care?”
Vincent smiled.
“Because the child's father wasn't dead.”
Lucas stared.
Emma looked confused.
Vincent said:
“Her father was your younger brother.”
Lucas's face went completely blank.
“I don't have a brother.”
Vincent laughed.
“That is what you were told.”
The room seemed to tilt.
Lucas had spent his entire life believing he was an only child.
His father had one son.
Lucas.
Everyone knew it.
Everyone had always said it.
But Vincent was standing there telling him that was a lie.
Lucas whispered:
“Who?”
Before Vincent could answer, the lights went out.
The entire mansion plunged into darkness.
Emma screamed.
Lucas immediately pulled her against his chest.
“Stay behind me.”
Gunfire erupted downstairs.
Three shots.
Then five.
Then a burst of automatic fire.
Lucas shouted:
“SECURITY!”
Nothing.
His guards were already scrambling.
A red emergency light flickered on.
Lucas looked toward Vincent.
His uncle was gone.
“Find him!”
Footsteps thundered through the hall.
Lucas carried Emma toward the security room.
“Where's Mommy?” Emma cried.
“She's safe.”
“But—”
“I'll get her.”
He handed Emma to Harold.
“Take her downstairs.”
“No!”
Emma grabbed Lucas's sleeve.
“Don't leave Mommy!”
“I won't.”
He looked into her eyes.
“I promise.”
Lucas ran upstairs.
The guest bedroom door was open.
Sarah was gone.
The window was shattered.
Lucas stopped.
A rope hung from the balcony.
Someone had taken her.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
Lucas answered.
Vincent's voice came through.
“You should have listened.”
Lucas's eyes burned.
“If you touch Sarah—”
“You're thinking too small.”
“What do you want?”
“Not Sarah.”
Lucas went silent.
Vincent whispered:
“Emma.”
Lucas looked toward the hallway.
The child's scream echoed from downstairs.
May you like
Lucas's blood ran cold.
He sprinted.
