Chapter 6 - The One Person Adrien Trusted Most Betrayed Him
The name was Daniel Price.
Adrien's closest friend.
His chief of security.
The man who had protected him for fifteen years.
Adrien stared at the page.
"No."
Daniel had saved his life twice.
He had taken bullets for him.
He had guarded Elena.
He had been beside him after their father's death.
He couldn't be the traitor.
But evidence accumulated quickly.
Financial transfers.
Secret meetings.
Deleted security footage.
Daniel had been feeding Victor information for years.
Amelia watched Adrien struggle.
"He protected Elena," she said.
"Or he helped Victor find her."
Adrien couldn't answer.
Daniel was arrested that evening.
He confessed.
But his confession contained one devastating detail.
Victor wasn't acting alone.
Someone inside federal law enforcement was protecting him.
And the ledger contained enough evidence to expose them all.
The plan became clear.
Adrien would leak the ledger through multiple channels simultaneously.
Victor would lose the ability to silence one source.
But Victor moved first.
He kidnapped Amelia.
It happened in broad daylight.
She was leaving the courthouse when a van stopped.
Two men grabbed her.
She fought.
She screamed.
Then something struck the back of her head.
When she woke, she was tied to a chair in an abandoned theater.
Victor sat across from her.
"You remind me of your mother."
"Then you should know I'm not easy to control."
He smiled.
"Your mother fought too."
"Where is she?"
"Alive."
"Then release her."
"No."
Victor leaned forward.
"You know what I admire about your boyfriend?"
"He isn't my boyfriend."
Victor laughed.
"He would die for you."
Amelia stared.
"That's not love."
"What is it?"
"Trust."
Victor's smile vanished.
"You really believe he can protect you?"
"I believe he will."
Victor stood.
"You should be afraid."
"I am."
"Good."
He turned away.
Amelia looked toward the curtains.
A tiny light blinked.
A camera.
Victor hadn't noticed.
She smiled.
Adrien had taught her never to panic.
Stay observant.
Always watch the exits.
Always assume the enemy is watching.
She looked at the camera.
Then mouthed silently.
Help.
Outside the theater, Adrien watched the live feed.
His face was emotionless.
His men were ready.
He had one chance.
One.
The rescue began at midnight.
Gunfire tore through the building.
Amelia fought against her restraints.
Adrien entered the room.
Victor raised his gun.
"Stop!"
Adrien froze.
Victor held Amelia at gunpoint.
"You lose."
Adrien looked at Amelia.
He saw the smallest movement.
Her right hand.
She was pointing toward the floor.
A dropped gun.
Adrien understood.
Victor did not.
Amelia kicked the weapon.
Adrien moved.
Victor fired.
Adrien shoved Amelia aside.
The bullet struck him in the shoulder.
She screamed.
"Adrien!"
He remained standing.
Victor ran.
Police stormed the building.
Within minutes, Victor was surrounded.
He surrendered.
But before they took him away, he whispered to Amelia:
"You don't know who you married."
Amelia frowned.
"I haven't married anyone."
May you like
Victor smiled.
"Exactly."
