Chapter 8 - The Kidnapping
It happened at 11:43 p.m.
Lena was leaving the kitchen when the lights went out.
She heard footsteps.
Then a hand covered her mouth.
She fought.
Hard.
But there were too many.
By the time Damian reached the hallway, she was gone.
A phone sat on the floor.
It rang.
Damian answered.
Charles Mercer.
“You have two hours.”
“What do you want?”
“Your company.”
“No.”
“Then Lena dies.”
Damian closed his eyes.
For the first time in years, genuine fear entered his voice.
“Touch her and I will destroy you.”
Charles laughed.
“You already did.”
The call ended.
Damian assembled his team.
But Lena was not waiting to be rescued.
She was fighting.
She had learned where they were.
A warehouse.
Pier 19.
She escaped the ropes.
Found a broken piece of metal.
Opened the door.
And attacked the guard.
She ran.
Then stopped.
A familiar voice came from behind her.
“Lena.”
Charles.
She turned.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
“I don't work for you.”
“You never understood the plan.”
“What plan?”
“You were always supposed to die with Damian.”
Lena froze.
“What?”
Charles smiled.
“The accident wasn't meant only for Damian.”
He revealed the truth.
Lena's mother had once worked for the Russo family.
Years ago, she had discovered financial records proving Charles was behind Anthony Russo's murder.
She had hidden the records.
Charles had spent years trying to find them.
Lena's family had been watched.
Her mother's death hadn't been accidental.
Lena understood everything.
Her entire life had been connected to the Russo family without her knowing.
Then Damian arrived.
Gunfire erupted.
Charles escaped.
Damian reached Lena.
He pulled her into his arms.
“You're safe.”
She cried against his chest.
“I thought you wouldn't come.”
“I would burn the entire city before I let them keep you.”
She looked up.
“You mean that?”
“Yes.”
Then she kissed him.
For one second, the war disappeared.
May you like
But Charles had escaped with the last evidence.
And the evidence contained names powerful enough to bring down governments.
