Chapter 4 - The Last Words
Two weeks later, the city changed.
One shipment disappeared.
Then another.
Three Castellano warehouses were attacked.
Rafe's men became nervous.
Police pressure increased.
Rival families began moving.
And Camila vanished.
No one knew where she went.
Josie tried calling.
Nothing.
Rafe ordered a search.
He found Camila's abandoned vehicle near the river.
Inside was her purse.
Her phone was smashed.
On the passenger seat was a note.
Bring Josie Kavanaaugh.
Rafe's blood ran cold.
They searched the city.
Nothing.
Then someone sent a photograph.
Josie tied to a chair.
Rafe stared at it.
His entire body went cold.
“Where?”
The sender answered.
“Too late.”
The message included coordinates.
The river grain elevator.
Rafe understood immediately.
The place connected every secret.
He assembled his team.
But Josie was already there.
Camila stood before her.
“You have no idea how much trouble you've caused.”
Josie couldn't speak through the cloth covering her mouth.
Camila removed it.
Josie coughed.
“Where is my sister?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere your employer can't reach.”
Josie glared.
“You're doing this because of Rafe.”
Camila laughed.
“No.”
She leaned closer.
“I'm doing this because you found the truth.”
Josie stared at her.
“What truth?”
Camila's face changed.
“My father didn't control the operation.”
Josie waited.
“Someone controlled him.”
“Who?”
Camila looked toward the dark passage.
“Your father knew.”
Josie felt her heart hammer.
“My father knew what?”
“That the Castellanos were being used.”
“By whom?”
Camila smiled.
“You really want the answer?”
“Yes.”
“It is the reason Rafe's brother disappeared.”
Josie pulled against the ropes.
Camila continued.
“Nico saw something.”
“What?”
“A meeting.”
“Between who?”
“Rafe's father.”
“Who else?”
Camila leaned closer.
“Your father.”
Josie's heart stopped.
“My father was there?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your father had proof that someone was stealing from both families.”
“And?”
“Your father wanted to expose them.”
Josie's breathing shook.
“Who stopped him?”
Camila whispered:
“Nico.”
Josie stared.
“What?”
“He tried to help your father.”
The story she had believed for seven years cracked open.
Nico had not simply disappeared.
He had been involved.
Camila continued.
“Rafe's father believed your father betrayed him.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
“Then who started the fire?”
Camila looked away.
“That is the part I never learned.”
Footsteps sounded in the passage.
Josie turned.
Camila smiled.
“Your boss is here.”
Rafe entered the room.
His men stayed behind.
He saw Josie.
Every emotion vanished from his face.
“Camila.”
She looked at him.
“You're too late.”
Rafe moved forward.
“Let her go.”
“You always were predictable.”
“You have nowhere to go.”
Camila pulled a gun.
Josie stared.
Rafe stopped.
Camila's hand shook.
“I didn't want this.”
“Then stop.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
Camila's face broke.
“Because if I tell you everything, they will kill me.”
“Who?”
She looked at Josie.
“The same people who killed your parents.”
Rafe stared.
“Who?”
A shot rang out.
Camila staggered.
Rafe lunged.
Another shot shattered the wall.
His men returned fire.
Chaos erupted.
Josie fell sideways with the chair.
Rafe reached her.
“Are you hurt?”
“I'm okay.”
He cut the ropes.
Camila had disappeared.
Rafe pulled Josie to her feet.
“We need to move.”
They ran.
Outside, the river wind was freezing.
Rafe wrapped his coat around her.
Then he noticed blood on the floor.
Not hers.
Camila's.
But there was another trail.
Someone else had been wounded.
Someone had taken Camila.
Rafe stared into the darkness.
“This isn't over.”
Josie shook her head.
“No.”
She pointed toward the ground.
A small bronze medal lay in the mud.
Saint Christopher.
Rafe picked it up.
His face drained of color.
Nico had owned one.
He had worn it the day he disappeared.
A voice came from behind them.
“You're looking in the wrong direction, Rafferty.”
Rafe turned.
An old man stood beneath the streetlight.
His brother.
May you like
Nico.
Alive.
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