Chapter 6 - Daniel's Last ChanceI contacted Daniel before dawn.
“We need to talk.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere neither of us owns.”
He chose an abandoned warehouse.
When I arrived, Daniel was alone.
No bodyguards.
No weapons visible.
He looked exhausted.
“You shouldn't have come.”
“You told me to leave Manhattan.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Why?”
“Because they already know where you are.”
I crossed my arms.
“Tell me everything.”
He looked away.
“Years ago, I borrowed money.”
“How much?”
“Four hundred million.”
“And Black Harbor owns you?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I thought I could solve it.”
“You almost destroyed our marriage.”
“I know.”
“You brought Vanessa into our home.”
“I needed access to her communications.”
“You slept with her.”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
My voice became quiet.
“That wasn't necessary.”
“I know.”
That was the first honest answer he had given me.
I looked at him.
“Did you ever love her?”
“No.”
“Did you love me?”
His eyes filled with pain.
“Yes.”
I wanted to believe him.
But love without honesty had become worthless.
“What do they want?”
“Your father's trust.”
“What is inside it?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Control over several international ports.”
I stared at him.
“That much?”
“Your father built them through legitimate companies.”
“And Black Harbor wants them.”
“Yes.”
I understood.
My father hadn't simply left me money.
He had left me leverage.
“Where is the trust?”
Daniel looked at me.
“I don't know.”
I smiled.
“Then neither do they.”
His expression changed.
“You know?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
I stepped closer.
“Somewhere you'll never find it.”
He stared at me.
“Claire…”
“I'll help you.”
He looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I don't want you dead.”
His eyes softened.
“But I don't want you back.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
I gave him a flash drive.
“This contains evidence of Black Harbor's financial network.”
He stared at it.
“How did you get this?”
“Vanessa.”
His eyes widened.
“She gave it to you?”
“She wants out.”
“What?”
“She realized Black Harbor intends to eliminate her after the transfer.”
Daniel shook his head.
“She'll never survive.”
“Neither will you if we don't work together.”
For the first time in months, Daniel looked at me as an equal.
“What do you want?”
“Freedom.”
“You'll have it.”
“And control of my assets.”
“Yes.”
“And no lies.”
He nodded.
“Agreed.”
I turned away.
Then stopped.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“If you betray me again…”
I looked over my shoulder.
“You won't get a second chance.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
Neither of us realized that someone was listening from the shadows.
May you like
Someone who had just heard where the flash drive came from.
Someone who was about to betray all of us.
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