Chapter 7 - Victor Took Sophie Because He Finally Understood She Was Gabriel’s WeaknessVictor kidnapped Sophie at dawn.
She had gone outside for coffee.
Security lasted thirty-seven seconds.
By the time Gabriel arrived, she was gone.
Noah was safe with Thomas.
Gabriel found a message.
Come alone.
The address was an abandoned theater downtown.
He went.
Victor sat on the stage.
Sophie was tied to a chair.
Her face was bruised.
But she was conscious.
Gabriel stopped halfway across the room.
“Let her go.”
Victor smiled.
“You finally understand.”
“What?”
“You can't win because you care.”
Gabriel stared at him.
“I don't care what you think.”
“You do.”
Victor looked at Sophie.
“She's your weakness.”
Gabriel's eyes hardened.
“No.”
“What then?”
“She is my choice.”
Victor laughed.
Michael had said something similar once.
That was why he had died.
Gabriel walked forward.
Victor raised his weapon.
“Stop.”
Gabriel stopped.
“I want the ledger.”
“You want power.”
“No.”
“You want the money.”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“My family.”
Victor stared.
For the first time, his smile faded.
“You don't understand family.”
“I understand enough.”
Sophie looked at Gabriel.
He hadn't come to save her because she was helpless.
He had come because they belonged together.
Victor finally admitted everything.
He had orchestrated the Hanover Street attack.
He had arranged the cover story.
He had manipulated Caleb.
He had controlled Thomas.
But there was one thing he hadn't anticipated.
Sophie had recorded conversations.
Before she was taken.
Her phone had remained connected.
Ethan had the feed.
Victor didn't know.
Every confession was being transmitted.
Gabriel kept him talking.
“What happened the night Michael died?”
Victor smiled.
“Your mother ordered it.”
“I know.”
“And your father approved it.”
“I know.”
“Thomas tried to stop it.”
“I know.”
“Rebecca Bennett helped Michael.”
“Yes.”
Victor leaned forward.
“But the person who gave me Michael's location was not Caleb.”
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
“Who?”
Victor smiled.
“Your uncle Daniel.”
Gabriel froze.
Another supposedly dead family member.
Another hidden monster.
Victor laughed.
“Your family has always been very creative.”
Suddenly the theater doors burst open.
Federal agents.
Ethan.
Thomas.
Daniel.
Everyone.
Daniel raised his hands.
“I never betrayed Michael.”
Victor stared.
“You're lying.”
“No.”
Daniel looked at Gabriel.
“I pretended to work for Victor.”
“To get close.”
“Yes.”
“To protect Michael.”
“Yes.”
Gabriel looked around.
The truth was finally emerging.
Everyone had lied.
But not everyone had betrayed.
Victor realized the trap too late.
He reached for his gun.
Ethan shot the weapon away.
Sophie was freed.
Gabriel ran to her.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“Mostly angry.”
He laughed.
“Good.”
She touched his face.
“You came.”
“Of course.”
Victor was arrested.
The ledger was recovered.
The network collapsed.
But Gabriel didn't feel victorious.
He looked at Sophie.
She looked back.
“What now?”
He smiled.
May you like
“Now we build something that isn't built on fear.”
For the first time, she believed him.
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