Chapter 4 - My Mother Was Alive—and She Wanted Me Dead
Mara survived.
Barely.
Sebastian carried her into an underground medical room beneath one of his safe properties.
While doctors worked on her, I sat in a silent room with my mother’s letter in my hands.
I read it again.
If Sebastian ever finds you, do not trust the woman who saved him.
The woman who saved him.
Mara.
But Mara had nearly died trying to get me out.
Why would my mother warn me about her?
Unless there was another meaning.
Sebastian entered.
His shirt was stained with blood.
Not his.
He shut the door.
“You need to sleep.”
“I need my mother.”
His jaw tightened.
“I’m going to find her.”
“You said you didn’t know where she was.”
“I don’t.”
“Then start looking.”
“I already am.”
I stood.
“You knew my father. You knew my mother. You knew about the ledger. And somehow I’m the last person to know anything.”
Sebastian’s eyes met mine.
“I thought ignorance would keep you safe.”
“It didn’t.”
He came closer.
“I know.”
“Why do you care so much?”
He stopped.
I hadn't expected him to answer.
“I don’t know.”
“That isn’t good enough.”
He looked away.
“Because last night I realized I couldn’t lose you.”
My heart stumbled.
He continued.
“That terrified me.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone I’ve loved has been used against me.”
I swallowed.
“Your father?”
“My father died when I was seventeen.”
“Your mother?”
“She left when I was eight.”
I had never heard him speak about his family.
“Then Daniel became your family.”
“Yes.”
“Until he died.”
“Yes.”
“And now me?”
His eyes softened.
“Now you.”
Before I could respond, his phone rang.
He answered.
“What?”
His expression changed.
“We found her.”
My breath stopped.
“My mother?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Brooklyn.”
We were there within forty minutes.
The address belonged to a small apartment building.
Nothing about it looked important.
An elderly woman answered.
When she saw me, she burst into tears.
“Oh, God.”
“You know me?”
She nodded.
“Your mother used to live here.”
“Where is she?”
“She left last night.”
“Where did she go?”
The woman pointed toward the table.
“There.”
A key.
And a photograph.
My mother stood beside a man.
I recognized him.
Victor Kane.
Sebastian’s uncle.
I looked at Sebastian.
He had gone completely still.
“Victor.”
“What’s wrong?”
Sebastian’s voice was cold.
“My uncle died twelve years ago.”
“Then why is he in the picture?”
He took it.
His hands shook.
“My uncle didn’t die.”
“What?”
“He disappeared.”
We searched the apartment.
Hidden inside a cabinet was another recording.
My mother’s voice.
“Valerie.”
I began crying before she said anything else.
“I know you are old enough now to hear this.”
She sounded exhausted.
“I need you to understand something. Your father believed the Black Circle could be destroyed. He was wrong.”
The recording continued.
“There were seven founders.”
Sebastian leaned closer.
“Seven?”
“Yes. Seven families. My family was one.”
I stared.
“My mother was part of the Black Circle?”
“Your grandmother was one of the founders.”
Sebastian looked stunned.
“My God.”
My mother continued.
“Daniel discovered what they had done. He wanted to expose them. I wanted to help him. We planned to disappear.”
A pause.
“But one of us betrayed him.”
My breathing stopped.
“Your father was killed because of me.”
I covered my mouth.
“I gave the order.”
Sebastian looked at me.
The recording continued.
“I ordered Sebastian to protect you.”
He froze.
“What?”
My mother said, “I knew Sebastian had the strength to fight them. I also knew he would hate me for what I asked him to do.”
Sebastian whispered, “She used me.”
“I told him your father was dead because I believed that was the only way to keep him focused.”
My mother’s voice cracked.
“But Sebastian never knew the truth.”
The recording ended.
I turned to him.
“You protected me because my mother ordered you to.”
He looked devastated.
“I didn't know.”
“I know.”
He stepped closer.
“Valerie…”
I backed away.
“I need time.”
He stopped.
For the first time since I met him, Sebastian looked helpless.
Then the apartment lights went out.
A voice came from the hallway.
“Valerie Hart.”
Sebastian drew his gun.
The door burst inward.
A man rushed inside.
Sebastian fired.
The attacker dropped.
But another man came through the window.
Then another.
The apartment erupted into gunfire.
Sebastian grabbed me.
“Down!”
We moved toward the kitchen.
Someone threw a grenade.
Sebastian shoved me under a table.
The explosion shattered the room.
I screamed.
When I looked up, Sebastian was lying motionless.
“Sebastian!”
I crawled toward him.
Blood covered his shoulder.
His eyes opened.
“I’m fine.”
“You got shot.”
“It’s not my first time.”
“You could have died.”
His hand found mine.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because you were still beside me.”
For a moment, the chaos disappeared.
Then we heard clapping.
Slow.
Calm.
A man stepped through the doorway.
He was older.
Elegant.
Gray hair.
Expensive coat.
Sebastian looked at him with pure hatred.
“Victor.”
The man smiled.
“Hello, nephew.”
My stomach dropped.
Sebastian raised his gun.
“You died.”
Victor laughed.
“That was the idea.”
“Why are you here?”
Victor looked at me.
“I came for the girl.”
Sebastian stepped in front of me.
“You’re not touching her.”
Victor smiled.
“That’s what your father said.”
Sebastian’s expression changed.
“My father?”
Victor’s smile disappeared.
“Your father didn't die by accident.”
Sebastian lowered his gun slightly.
“What are you talking about?”
Victor looked at him.
“Daniel Hart was never the target.”
I looked at him.
“Then who was?”
May you like
Victor pointed directly at me.
“You.”
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