Chapter 7 - The Enemy Inside
Adrian had been dead less than two hours.
Vincent examined the scene without touching anything.
Harper stood behind the security line.
She expected him to look angry.
Instead he looked tired.
“Someone wanted us to find him.”
Marcus frowned.
“Why?”
Vincent pointed to the body.
“No wallet. No phone. No weapon.”
Jonah understood.
“A message.”
“Exactly.”
Harper noticed something near Adrian's hand.
A small silver key.
She pointed.
“What is that?”
Vincent turned.
He picked it up with a glove.
An address was engraved on the back.
54 West Mercer.
Harper recognized it.
“That was my mother's office.”
Vincent looked at her.
“You're certain?”
“She took me there once when I was twelve.”
The room went silent.
Vincent's men exchanged glances.
“Let's go,” Vincent said.
Harper stepped forward.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“My mother is part of this.”
“You don't know what you'll find.”
“I know enough.”
Vincent stared at her.
Finally he nodded.
They drove through the city before sunrise.
The old office had been abandoned for years.
Dust covered everything.
Vincent opened a filing cabinet.
Inside were documents.
Photographs.
Bank statements.
And one sealed envelope.
Harper reached for it.
Her hands shook.
The envelope was addressed to her.
Harper.
Only you.
She opened it.
Her mother's handwriting filled the page.
My daughter,
If you are reading this, I am already gone.
Do not trust Richard.
Do not trust anyone who tells you the money is the important part.
The money is only what they wanted you to see.
The real danger is what I found in Vincent's father's old records.
Harper looked up.
Vincent had gone completely still.
“What does it say?”
She continued.
Your husband will be dangerous.
But he is not the enemy.
He never was.
Harper looked at Vincent.
“He knew.”
Vincent swallowed.
“What else?”
Harper read.
There is an account labeled Black Harbor. It contains names of judges, police officers, politicians, and businessmen who were paid to protect a network that has existed for decades.
I found the account.
Richard stole part of the money.
Dario wants the records destroyed.
Vincent's father built the network.
Vincent tried to dismantle it.
That is why they hate him.
Harper lowered the letter.
“You were trying to dismantle your father's operation.”
Vincent nodded.
“For years.”
“Then why does everyone think you're running it?”
“Because the people I fight control the story.”
Harper looked at him.
“Why didn't you tell the court?”
“Because every person connected to Black Harbor would come after you.”
She looked down at the letter.
Her mother's final words were written in shaky ink.
Trust the man who looks most dangerous.
He is dangerous.
But not to you.
Harper began crying.
Vincent moved toward her.
He stopped before touching her.
“Harper.”
She looked up.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head.
“You were trying to protect me.”
“Yes.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know.”
“You don't get to decide what I can handle.”
“I know.”
She wiped her tears.
“What happens now?”
Vincent looked at the files.
“Now we burn Black Harbor down.”
Before they could leave, the lights in the building turned on.
Harper froze.
They were supposed to be alone.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Vincent drew his weapon.
“Stay behind me.”
Three armed men entered.
The fight was immediate.
Vincent moved with brutal precision.
Harper grabbed the envelope and hid behind a desk.
One attacker reached her.
She struck him with a metal lamp.
He stumbled.
Vincent took him down.
Then the door burst open.
Richard stepped inside.
Harper's world stopped.
“Uncle?”
Richard smiled.
“You've made this much harder than it needed to be.”
Vincent aimed his weapon.
Richard laughed.
“You won't shoot me.”
“Try me.”
Richard's smile vanished.
“You think your wife is protecting Lily.”
Harper stepped forward.
“What did you do to my mother?”
Richard looked at her.
“I gave her a choice.”
“A choice?”
“She could give me the trust.”
“And when she refused?”
Richard's silence was enough.
Harper's face went white.
“You killed her.”
“I didn't.”
He looked at Vincent.
“But I know who did.”
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
“Who?”
Richard smiled.
“Your father.”
The room went silent.
Vincent's face changed.
“That is impossible.”
Richard stepped backward.
“Ask your mother.”
“She’s dead.”
“Exactly.”
Richard turned.
“And before you accuse me of everything, remember this.”
He pointed at Harper.
“Your little sister isn't safe where you think she is.”
A phone rang.
Harper's phone.
She answered.
A man's voice whispered.
“Lily is gone.”
The line went dead.
Harper screamed.
Vincent grabbed her hand.
For the first time since she met him, he looked afraid.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Afraid.
“Find her.”
The order shattered the building.
And every man in Vincent's organization moved.
Because the one thing Vincent Romano had spent fifteen years refusing to admit had finally happened.
May you like
Someone had found the person he loved.
And they had taken her.
