Chapter 7 - The Woman They Thought Was Dead
Mara had imagined a thousand ways her mother might return.
None involved an abandoned church in Queens.
Yet that was where they found her.
Evelyn Voss was sitting in the front pew when Dante and Mara entered.
Older.
Thinner.
Her hair almost completely gray.
But alive.
Mara stopped.
Her mother stood.
For several seconds neither moved.
Then Mara crossed the church.
Evelyn caught her.
Mara buried her face in her shoulder and cried like a child.
"You were alive."
"I know."
"You let me believe you were dead."
"I had to."
"You let me suffer."
Her mother closed her eyes.
"I know."
Mara stepped back.
"Why?"
"Because if Silas knew where I was, he would kill you."
"He hurt me anyway."
"I know."
"And Leo."
"I know."
Dante stood behind them.
Evelyn looked at him.
"You grew into your father's eyes."
Dante's face was unreadable.
"My father protected you."
"He tried."
"What happened?"
Evelyn looked at Mara.
"Gabriel betrayed him."
Dante closed his eyes.
"Why?"
"Your brother believed he deserved your father's empire."
"And Silas?"
"Silas promised him everything."
Mara looked at her mother.
"Why did Silas want me?"
"Because you were the key."
"The key to what?"
"The ledger was not the real weapon."
Evelyn reached into her coat.
She removed a small cassette tape.
"The real weapon is on this."
Dante stared.
"Audio?"
"Your father recorded the night Gabriel betrayed him."
Dante took the tape.
"Why didn't he use it?"
"He tried."
Evelyn looked toward the dark stained-glass windows.
"He was killed before he could."
Mara felt a chill.
"Then why are we still alive?"
Evelyn gave her a sad smile.
"Because Silas believed fear would make you useless."
She looked at Mara's hands.
"He was wrong."
Dante's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
"Your daughter is stronger than either of us."
Mara blinked.
"You knew?"
Evelyn smiled through tears.
"I know every stitch those scars represent."
Then the church doors slammed open.
Gunfire erupted.
Dante shoved Mara behind a stone pillar.
Nico returned fire.
Evelyn grabbed the cassette.
"Take this."
Mara caught it.
"What about you?"
"Go."
"No."
"Go!"
A man emerged from the doorway.
Gabriel Bell.
Older than Dante.
Same eyes.
Same jaw.
But colder.
He looked at Dante.
"Little brother."
Dante stepped forward.
"Gabriel."
"You've caused enough trouble."
Dante raised his gun.
"You murdered our father."
Gabriel smiled.
"He deserved it."
Mara saw Silas behind him.
And suddenly understood.
This had never been about a debt.
It had always been about controlling the people who knew the truth.
May you like
Gabriel looked at Mara.
"And now we finish what your mother started."
