Chapter 6 - The Price of Betrayal
Clara wanted to trade the Black Ledger immediately.
Luca refused.
She screamed at him.
“You don't understand!”
“I understand perfectly.”
“My mother is alive!”
“I know.”
“She could die!”
“And if we give him the ledger, thousands could die.”
Clara froze.
“What?”
Luca opened the storage files.
“The ledger doesn't just expose criminals.”
He showed her page after page.
Judges.
Police officers.
Corporate executives.
Officials.
Names connected to murders, bribes, disappearances, illegal weapons, political corruption, and financial crimes.
“This document could destroy half the people protecting Voss.”
Clara swallowed.
“So we save my mother.”
“Yes.”
“Without giving him the ledger.”
“Yes.”
“And how exactly?”
Luca looked at her.
“We let him think he has already won.”
They created a fake ledger.
Every page was copied.
Every name was altered.
Every number was subtly changed.
Luca arranged a meeting.
An abandoned train station.
Midnight.
Clara wanted to go.
Luca refused.
She nearly slapped him.
“Your plan depends on me.”
“Yes.”
“Then I am going.”
“No.”
“Luca.”
“Clara.”
“I am not your prisoner.”
“I know.”
“Then stop ordering me around.”
His expression softened.
“I am afraid.”
She went silent.
Luca Moretti looked away.
“I have lost everyone I've ever loved.”
She stared at him.
“My father.”
“My brother.”
“Friends.”
“People who trusted me.”
His jaw tightened.
“And now you.”
Clara stepped closer.
“You haven't lost me.”
He looked at her.
“Not yet.”
“Not ever.”
He stared.
Something shifted between them.
But before either could speak, the alarm sounded.
Ethan rushed in.
“We have movement.”
The meeting had begun.
Luca left.
Clara watched through security monitors.
Voss arrived with twelve men.
Then he brought Evelyn.
Clara's mother looked older.
Thinner.
But alive.
Clara cried when she saw her.
Luca put a hand on her shoulder.
“Trust me.”
“I do.”
The exchange began.
Voss demanded the ledger.
Luca handed over the fake copy.
Voss opened it.
He smiled.
Then suddenly, he looked toward the camera.
“I know you're watching, Clara.”
Her heart froze.
Luca's expression hardened.
Voss continued.
“Your mother told me everything.”
Clara whispered,
“She wouldn't.”
Voss laughed.
“She told me Luca would come for her.”
He raised a hand.
A sniper appeared on the opposite rooftop.
Ethan shouted,
“Get down!”
The shot came.
The window exploded.
Luca grabbed Clara.
Glass rained over them.
Then the room shook.
Voss had planted explosives.
The estate erupted into chaos.
Clara and Luca were separated.
Smoke filled the hallways.
People screamed.
Gunfire echoed.
Clara ran toward the exit.
A man grabbed her.
She fought.
Then another figure appeared.
Victoria.
She shot the attacker.
“Run!”
Clara stared.
“You!”
“I was wrong.”
“What?”
“I thought Luca was the problem.”
Victoria lowered her weapon.
“Voss was using me.”
Clara shook her head.
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn't.”
Victoria grabbed her arm.
“But your mother is still alive.”
That was enough.
They escaped through a tunnel beneath the estate.
For twenty minutes they ran underground.
Finally, they reached an old maintenance building.
Luca appeared from the darkness.
He was bleeding.
Clara rushed to him.
“Are you hurt?”
“Nothing serious.”
She hugged him.
He froze.
Then slowly wrapped his arms around her.
Victoria watched silently.
“We need to move,” she said.
Luca nodded.
“Where?”
Victoria looked at Clara.
“I know where Voss is taking Evelyn.”
“Where?”
“The old Moretti family vineyard.”
Clara frowned.
“There hasn't been a vineyard in years.”
“There hasn't been one publicly.”
Luca's eyes narrowed.
“Of course.”
He understood.
“My father built a bunker beneath it.”
Victoria nodded.
“Voss knows about it.”
Clara stepped back.
“Then let's go.”
Luca looked at her.
“You don't have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No.”
“My mother spent years protecting me.”
May you like
Clara took his hand.
“Now it's my turn.”
