Chapter 7 - Victor Caruso Took Sadi—and Ronan Stopped Being Reasonable
Victor struck at dawn.
Sadi was leaving the hospital after dropping off documents when two cars blocked the entrance.
Three men approached.
She tried to run.
Someone caught her.
A hood covered her head.
Her hands were tied.
She screamed.
Then darkness.
When she woke, she was in a warehouse.
Victor Caruso sat across from her.
He looked elegant.
Calm.
Almost fatherly.
“You have your father's eyes.”
Sadi glared.
“You killed him.”
Victor smiled.
“Your father chose his fate.”
“You murdered him.”
“Perhaps.”
He placed the letter on the table.
“You found the key.”
Sadi said nothing.
Victor leaned closer.
“Where is the ledger?”
“I don't know.”
“You do.”
“No.”
He slapped her.
Her head snapped sideways.
She tasted blood.
Victor sighed.
“I don't enjoy violence.”
Sadi looked at him.
“Then why are you so good at it?”
His smile disappeared.
“You have his courage too.”
He stood.
“Bring her sonography file.”
A man handed him a folder.
Sadi stared.
“What is this?”
“Your pregnancy records.”
“What?”
“You're pregnant.”
The words hit her like lightning.
She looked down.
She had been exhausted.
Nauseous.
She had blamed stress.
She had missed her period.
She hadn't wanted to think about it.
Victor smiled.
“Congratulations.”
Sadi covered her stomach.
“You knew?”
“We have eyes everywhere.”
He placed another photograph on the table.
Ronan.
Standing outside the hospital.
“He doesn't know.”
Sadi stared.
“You're bluffing.”
“I am?”
He pressed a button.
A screen showed Ronan searching the city.
Panicked.
Furious.
Desperate.
“He would burn every building in this city looking for you.”
Sadi's eyes filled with tears.
Victor smiled.
“That is exactly why I took you.”
Meanwhile, Ronan had discovered her disappearance.
He walked into the operations room.
“Find her.”
Adrian spoke.
“We're trying.”
“Try harder.”
“Ronan.”
He slammed his hand against the table.
“She is carrying my child.”
Silence.
Adrian froze.
Mara stared.
“You know?”
“I suspected.”
“Does she?”
“No.”
Ronan's voice broke.
“And I was going to tell her.”
Adrian touched his shoulder.
“We'll find her.”
Ronan looked at the city map.
Then at the surveillance footage.
“Bring everyone.”
Adrian stared.
“Everyone?”
“Everyone.”
Within two hours, every Vale operative was deployed.
Ports.
Warehouses.
Highways.
Hotels.
Private airstrips.
Every place Victor might use.
The city noticed.
Sirens increased.
Cars moved through the streets.
People began whispering.
Ronan Vale was hunting.
And everyone knew what happened when Ronan hunted.
Victor sent a message.
One video.
Sadi tied to a chair.
Ronan watched it.
Victor's voice came through.
“Bring the key.”
Ronan stared at the screen.
“I'll come.”
Victor laughed.
“Alone.”
Ronan nodded.
“Alone.”
Adrian grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Ronan looked at him.
“She dies if I don't.”
“They'll kill you.”
“I know.”
Adrian's eyes filled.
“You're my brother.”
Ronan looked at him.
“Then trust me.”
He walked away.
Sadi heard the warehouse door open.
Ronan entered alone.
Victor smiled.
“You came.”
Ronan looked at Sadi.
She was crying.
He looked at the bruise on her cheek.
His expression became empty.
“Release her.”
Victor laughed.
“You don't negotiate from weakness.”
Ronan raised his hands.
“You're right.”
He dropped the key.
Victor looked down.
Then back up.
“Is it real?”
“Yes.”
Victor signaled.
A man moved toward Sadi.
Ronan's eyes followed him.
“Don't touch her.”
The man grabbed Sadi's arm.
Ronan moved.
The room exploded.
His men stormed through hidden doors.
Victor ran.
Gunfire erupted.
Sadi fell to the floor.
Ronan reached her.
“Are you hurt?”
“My stomach.”
He froze.
“What?”
She looked at him.
“I’m pregnant.”
For one second, everything stopped.
Ronan touched her face.
Then her stomach.
His eyes filled.
“Mine?”
She nodded.
He closed his eyes.
“God.”
He kissed her forehead.
Then looked toward Victor.
Something changed in him.
Victor was running.
Ronan stood.
“Stay with Mara.”
Sadi grabbed his wrist.
“No.”
He looked back.
“Don't.”
She shook her head.
“Don't become him.”
Ronan froze.
The words reached him.
He lowered his weapon.
May you like
Victor was captured alive.
And the city breathed again.
