Chapter 5 - The Woman the Mafia Family Had Underestimated
The warehouse battle ended with three arrests.
One attacker escaped.
The evidence was recovered.
But Mave's identity had been exposed to the entire network.
She was no longer useful only as leverage.
She was a target.
Rafe wanted to move her to another country.
Mave refused.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because running keeps making them stronger.”
“You could die.”
“So could you.”
“I've spent my whole life taking that risk.”
“I haven't.”
She stepped closer.
“And I'm still here.”
He stared at her.
“You're different.”
“I know.”
Rafe smiled.
“That's becoming irritating.”
“Good.”
They began investigating the hidden account.
Patrick helped.
Jonah helped.
Even Malcolm reluctantly helped.
The records revealed a deeper conspiracy.
Senator Voss had been using the Calder organization to move illegal money through legitimate businesses.
Rafe's father had participated.
But when he tried to leave, Voss threatened his family.
Rafe's mother discovered the truth.
She began copying the records.
Voss killed her.
At least, that was the official story.
Then Patrick found something.
A hospital record.
Rafe's mother had survived the attack.
For six months.
Hidden under another name.
She had given birth to a daughter.
Mave's half-sister.
The family had believed she died.
She had not.
She was alive.
Twenty-three years old.
Her name was Clara Vale.
Mave stared at the photograph.
“She looks like my mother.”
Rafe nodded.
“Where is she?”
“Voss has her.”
The search began.
They found Clara in a rehabilitation center.
She was frightened.
She did not trust anyone.
Then she saw Mave.
“You're my sister.”
Mave cried.
“Yes.”
Clara looked at Rafe.
“And you're the man Mom told me about.”
Rafe froze.
“She knew me?”
“She said you'd protect us.”
The words destroyed him.
His mother had not abandoned him.
She had spent her final years protecting all three children.
Mave.
Clara.
Rafe.
Before she died, she had hidden one last piece of evidence.
A recording.
Rafe played it.
His mother's voice filled the room.
“Rafe, if you're listening, then you're older now.”
He closed his eyes.
“I want you to know something.”
Her voice shook.
“I didn't leave you.”
“You were taken from me.”
Mave held Rafe's hand.
“I tried to expose the people who controlled your father.”
“I failed.”
“But Patrick helped.”
“Find him.”
“Trust him.”
Then another voice spoke.
A man's voice.
Voss.
Threatening her.
Rafe's jaw tightened.
The recording ended.
Mave looked at him.
“She's alive in you.”
He swallowed.
“Sometimes I wish she wasn't.”
“Why?”
“Because then I wouldn't miss her.”
She touched his face.
“You're allowed to.”
He leaned into her hand.
That night, they kissed.
Again.
But this time there was no fear.
Only choice.
And for the first time, Rafe told her the truth.
“I love you.”
Mave's eyes filled.
“I love you too.”
Then the lights went out.
Clara screamed.
A gunshot shattered the hallway.
Rafe moved.
Mave followed.
They escaped through the emergency stairs.
But when they reached the parking garage, Clara was gone.
A message was waiting on the windshield.
BRING MAVE TO THE CHURCH. ALONE.
Rafe stared.
Mave looked at him.
“You're not staying behind.”
“No.”
“You're coming.”
“Yes.”
“You're hurt.”
“I've had worse.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
They went.
The church was empty.
Too empty.
Then the doors closed.
A voice came from above.
“Mave.”
She looked up.
Senator Voss stood on the balcony.
Clara beside him.
Patrick's photograph in his hand.
“You have something I need.”
“The account.”
“Yes.”
“And you have my sister.”
“Yes.”
Mave stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
Voss smiled.
“You are very like your mother.”
“That's a compliment.”
“It isn't.”
He looked at Rafe.
“You should never have woken up.”
Rafe's eyes narrowed.
Voss continued.
“Your marriage was supposed to be temporary.”
Rafe stepped forward.
“It isn't.”
Voss smiled.
“That's unfortunate.”
Gunfire erupted.
The church windows shattered.
Rafe pushed Mave behind a pillar.
Clara dropped.
Mave ran to her.
“I've got you.”
Rafe fought toward Voss.
He reached the balcony.
Voss escaped through a hidden exit.
But he left behind something.
A file.
Rafe opened it.
The final page contained one sentence.
THE REAL HEIR IS NOT RAFE.
He looked at Mave.
“What?”
He handed her the page.
Her face changed.
“Then who?”
May you like
Before either could answer, Clara whispered:
“Me.”
