Chapter 3 - Thomas Arrived Claiming He Wanted to Save Raphael, but He Didn't Know the Mafia Boss Was Hiding Behind the Wall Listening to Every WordThomas entered the kitchen.
He wore an expensive dark suit.
Not a mark on him.
No sign of panic.
He looked around.
“Where is he?”
I lowered my eyes.
“Who?”
“Raphael.”
“I don't know.”
Thomas smiled.
“You're a terrible liar.”
I swallowed.
“Mr. Vale.”
He moved closer.
“Did he come here?”
“No.”
“Don't make this harder.”
“What do you want?”
He stared at me.
“You.”
My blood chilled.
“Me?”
“You're the reason he refuses to cooperate.”
“I don't understand.”
“He has one weakness.”
I took a step backward.
“You're talking about—”
“You.”
Silence.
Thomas continued:
“He would never sacrifice you.”
That sentence terrified me.
He thought Raphael loved me.
More importantly, he knew it.
“How long?”
Thomas smiled.
“Long enough.”
Behind the hidden wall, Raphael was listening.
I could feel it.
Thomas didn't know.
He walked toward me.
“Where is your brother?”
I froze.
“What?”
“Micah.”
“How do you know his name?”
“I know everything about you.”
He pulled out a folder.
Medical records.
Hospital invoices.
Doctor's notes.
My address.
Micah's diagnosis.
I felt sick.
“You've been tracking us.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because people like you are easy to control.”
My hands shook.
Thomas continued:
“Raphael would burn half the city to protect his business.”
“But he would burn the entire city to protect you.”
I heard a faint sound behind the hidden wall.
Raphael.
Angry.
Thomas didn't notice.
He continued.
“We offered him a deal.”
“What deal?”
“His empire in exchange for one thing.”
“What?”
“His resignation.”
I frowned.
“That makes no sense.”
“It does if the board believes he's unstable.”
Thomas explained.
He had been building evidence against Raphael.
Drug use.
Violence.
Mental instability.
Alcohol abuse.
And tonight was supposed to be the final proof.
They would photograph Raphael drunk.
Declare him unfit.
Take control.
My eyes widened.
“You brought people here to provoke him.”
“Yes.”
“Why did he come to me?”
Thomas smiled.
“Because you're the only one who can make him lose control.”
The hidden door opened.
Raphael stepped out.
Sober.
Calm.
Terrifying.
Thomas's face went pale.
“You.”
Raphael looked at him.
“You should have looked under the staircase.”
Thomas reached for his gun.
My heart stopped.
Raphael raised his hand.
Four of his loyal men appeared.
Thomas froze.
“It's over.”
“No.”
Thomas smiled.
“You still don't know the truth.”
Raphael's eyes narrowed.
“What truth?”
Thomas looked at me.
“Ask her.”
I stared.
“Ask me what?”
Thomas laughed.
“Ask her who paid Micah's medical bills for the first six months.”
My blood froze.
“I did.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
Raphael looked at me.
“Who?”
I couldn't answer.
Thomas smiled.
“Your secret benefactor.”
I felt sick.
Because the first six months of Micah's treatment had been anonymously paid.
I had always assumed it was a hospital charity.
Thomas whispered:
“It wasn't.”
May you like
He looked at Raphael.
“It was your father.”
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