Chapter 8 - The Night Boston Burned
The Caruso estate had never been attacked from every side.
Until that night.
Vehicles flooded the surrounding streets.
Helicopters moved through the sky.
Men in dark clothing advanced through the outer grounds.
The city lights beyond the property continued shining.
People were having dinner.
Walking dogs.
Driving home.
They had no idea a war was unfolding only miles away.
Adrian stood in the command room.
Claire beside him.
Thomas handled communications.
Victor directed defensive positions.
James watched silently.
Dominic stood alone in the corner.
He had finally admitted everything.
He had also asked Adrian for one chance to save his daughter.
Adrian had given it.
“Do you trust him?” Claire whispered.
“Not yet.”
Dominic looked toward them.
“I heard that.”
Adrian shrugged.
“I wanted you to.”
Claire almost smiled.
Thomas approached.
“They're inside the west perimeter.”
Adrian nodded.
“Begin.”
Lights across the estate went dark.
Then the underground doors opened.
Hidden vehicles emerged.
Men Adrian had kept outside the usual chain of command moved into position.
It turned out Michael had prepared for this.
His last gift had not been only the key.
He had left Adrian a list.
Names of loyal people.
Safe houses.
Bank accounts.
Escape routes.
Michael had been preparing for Adrian's betrayal from within.
And he had done it while knowing he might die.
Claire watched the screens.
“Your friend was planning this for years.”
Adrian nodded.
“He knew me.”
“Better than you knew yourself.”
“Yes.”
The first attacker entered the house.
Adrian intercepted him.
The fight was fast.
Brutal.
But Claire refused to hide.
She moved to the office.
Thomas followed.
She opened the accounting system.
“The ledger can be copied.”
Thomas nodded.
“Then do it.”
“What will you do?”
“Send it everywhere.”
Claire looked at him.
“If we make it public, innocent people may get hurt.”
“I know.”
“Then we need to separate the evidence.”
She began building files.
Banks.
Police.
Federal agencies.
Journalists.
Courts.
Every piece would go to a different destination.
No single person could bury everything.
Thomas smiled.
“Michael would have liked you.”
Claire's eyes filled.
“He did.”
A gunshot sounded.
Thomas fell.
Claire screamed.
“Thomas!”
Adrian rushed in.
Thomas had been shot in the side.
He grabbed Adrian's arm.
“Keep going.”
Adrian knelt.
“You're not dying.”
Thomas smiled.
“Not tonight.”
They moved him to safety.
Meanwhile, Dominic reached the basement.
His daughter was there.
Alive.
Sebastian had brought her as leverage.
Dominic found her tied to a chair.
He broke down.
He had not seen her in nine years.
“Daddy?”
He closed his eyes.
Then cut her free.
Sebastian entered.
“You ruined everything.”
Dominic turned.
“No.”
“You were supposed to deliver Claire.”
“I couldn't.”
Sebastian laughed.
“You betrayed your blood.”
Dominic stared at him.
“No.”
He raised his weapon.
“I chose my daughter.”
Sebastian fired.
Dominic fell.
Adrian arrived seconds later.
He shot Sebastian in the shoulder.
Sebastian collapsed.
Federal agents stormed the building.
The battle ended.
Outside, the city slowly returned to silence.
Claire found Adrian standing beside the harbor.
Dawn was approaching.
She stood beside him.
“It's over.”
He nodded.
“Not completely.”
“But the Circle is exposed.”
“Yes.”
“Your father is alive.”
“He will stand trial.”
“Victor?”
“Testifying.”
“Thomas?”
“Alive.”
“Dominic?”
Claire looked at him.
Adrian was quiet.
“He saved his daughter.”
“Will you forgive him?”
“No.”
She nodded.
“But I won't let him die for what he did.”
Claire looked toward the water.
“What about us?”
Adrian turned to her.
“What about us?”
“You promised me a divorce when this was over.”
“I remember.”
She waited.
“You can have it.”
Claire stared.
“That easily?”
“No.”
He took a breath.
“I want you to stay.”
Her heart pounded.
“Why?”
“Because somewhere between that chapel and this morning, I stopped thinking of you as Michael's cousin.”
She smiled faintly.
“And what am I now?”
“My wife.”
“That sounds like duty.”
“No.”
He took her hand.
“It sounds like the only choice I've ever made for myself.”
Claire looked at him.
“I think I love you.”
Adrian closed his eyes for a second.
Then he leaned his forehead against hers.
“I was afraid you'd say that.”
May you like
“Why?”
“Because I love you too.”
