Chapter 6 - The Father Who Was Never DeadDaniel Mercer led them to a private medical facility outside Chicago.
Lorenzo entered first.
Serena followed.
In a private room, an old man sat beside the window.
Gray hair.
Sharp eyes.
A face Serena had never seen.
But somehow recognized.
“Dad?”
Dominic Duca turned.
He smiled.
“Serena.”
Lorenzo lifted his gun.
“You.”
Dominic looked at him.
“You're exactly like your brother.”
“Don't mention Adrian.”
“He would have been proud.”
“You murdered him.”
Dominic shook his head.
“I didn't kill Adrian.”
“Victor said you did.”
“Victor lies.”
Serena stepped forward.
“Why did you let me believe my father was dead?”
Dominic looked at her.
“To protect you.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Everyone says that.”
“You need to understand.”
“No.”
Her voice cracked.
“I need someone to stop protecting me with lies.”
Dominic sighed.
“Adrian was working against me.”
“Why?”
“He wanted out.”
“Of what?”
“Our family.”
Lorenzo stared.
Dominic continued.
“He planned to expose the entire network.”
“He could have.”
“Yes.”
“So why didn't he?”
“Because someone betrayed him.”
“Who?”
Dominic looked toward Lorenzo.
“Your brother trusted the wrong man.”
“Who?”
“Marco.”
Serena froze.
Lorenzo turned.
“No.”
Dominic smiled.
“Ask your security chief why he was with Adrian the night he died.”
Lorenzo's face became unreadable.
Dominic continued.
“The ledger isn't the only secret.”
He pointed to Serena.
“She is the legal heir to a trust Adrian created.”
Serena frowned.
“What trust?”
“A legitimate business portfolio worth billions.”
Lorenzo stared.
“My brother left that to her?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he wanted her to own something no Duca could control.”
Serena felt overwhelmed.
Her father had left her money.
Power.
Secrets.
Enemies.
All the things she had never wanted.
“I don't want an empire.”
Dominic smiled.
“That is exactly why you're dangerous.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“Where is the ledger?”
Dominic looked at him.
“Your lawyer has it.”
Lorenzo turned.
Daniel Mercer appeared in the doorway.
A gun in his hand.
“Correct.”
Marco reached for his weapon.
Daniel fired.
The bullet struck the wall.
Everyone scattered.
Serena ducked behind the bed.
Lorenzo tackled Daniel.
The gun went flying.
They fought.
Daniel escaped through the corridor.
Marco chased him.
Dominic remained sitting.
Serena looked at him.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“About everything?”
“Not everything.”
She stared.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because your father asked me not to.”
“My father?”
Dominic nodded.
“Adrian.”
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
Lorenzo approached.
He was bleeding from his cheek.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded.
Then she touched his face.
He caught her hand.
For one brief moment, neither spoke.
Dominic watched them.
Then smiled.
“Your mother would have liked this.”
Serena looked at him.
“Liked what?”
“That you found someone who doesn't need your money.”
Lorenzo gave him a warning look.
Dominic laughed.
“Perhaps this family finally has a chance.”
Outside, sirens approached.
Daniel had escaped.
But not before leaving a single message.
MIDNIGHT. BELLVITA. TABLE SEVEN.
Lorenzo looked at Serena.
“They want the final exchange.”
May you like
She nodded.
“Then we give them one.”
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