Chapter 6 - The Father Who Chose Power Over His Children
Meline stared at the man in front of her.
His face was older.
His hair almost completely gray.
But she knew him.
Not from photographs.
From memory.
A shadow in a doorway.
A voice during the fire.
A hand pulling her away.
“Dad?”
The man looked at her.
“Hello, Meline.”
Her knees weakened.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had to.”
“No.”
Her voice cracked.
“You chose to disappear.”
He said nothing.
Damian raised his weapon.
“Why did you kill her mother?”
Meline's father looked at him.
“Because she betrayed me.”
“She protected Meline.”
“She destroyed my plans.”
Damian's face hardened.
“You abandoned us.”
“I protected the family.”
“No.”
Damian stepped forward.
“You protected yourself.”
Adrian watched them.
“Beautiful reunion.”
Meline turned.
“You knew.”
Adrian smiled.
“For years.”
“Where was he?”
“Running the remnants of your grandfather's network.”
Elias struggled against his restraints.
“Meline, don't listen.”
Adrian walked toward her.
“The truth is much simpler.”
He pointed toward Damian.
“Our father wanted Damian dead.”
He pointed toward Meline.
“He wanted you hidden.”
Then himself.
“And he wanted me to inherit everything.”
“Then why are we still alive?”
Adrian smiled.
“Because the trust requires all three signatures.”
Meline understood.
“You need us.”
“Yes.”
“Alive.”
“For now.”
Damian fired.
The bullet struck the ceiling.
Chaos erupted.
Vincent cut Elias free.
Meline grabbed the pendant.
Her father escaped through a side door.
Adrian disappeared behind the machinery.
Damian shouted,
“Meline!”
She turned.
An attacker raised a gun.
Damian moved between them.
The shot struck his shoulder.
Meline screamed.
He fell.
She ran to him.
“No.”
“I'm fine.”
“You're bleeding.”
“I've had worse.”
Vincent returned fire.
The attackers fled.
They escaped.
At the safe house, Damian refused to rest.
Meline cleaned his wound.
“Stop pretending this doesn't hurt.”
“It doesn't.”
“You're a terrible liar.”
He smiled.
“You're getting better at knowing me.”
She looked down.
“I already know you.”
He became quiet.
“You know what scares me?”
“What?”
“That every time someone I love gets close, somebody tries to use them against me.”
She stopped.
“You love me?”
He looked at her.
“I think I have for longer than I should admit.”
Meline's eyes filled.
“You barely knew me.”
“I watched you for eight months.”
“That sounds creepy.”
“I know.”
She laughed through tears.
He touched her cheek.
“You made this house feel less empty.”
She whispered,
“Damian…”
He pulled his hand away.
“Not now.”
“Why?”
“Because we're in the middle of a war.”
She leaned closer.
“Then maybe we stop pretending we're not human.”
He kissed her.
It was brief.
Tender.
Not what either expected.
When they pulled apart, both were silent.
Then Vincent appeared in the doorway.
“I'd like to pretend I didn't see that.”
Damian glared.
“Go away.”
Vincent laughed.
“Gladly.”
Their moment lasted only seconds.
A phone rang.
Elias.
“I found something,” he said.
“What?”
“Our father has another office.”
“Where?”
“Inside the old Russo theater.”
Damian stood.
“What about Adrian?”
“He's there.”
Meline looked at Damian.
“He's waiting for us.”
May you like
Damian nodded.
“Then we make him regret it.”
