Chapter 15 - CHOOSE
Blood ran from Alessandro’s temple.
Daniel pressed the gun against the back of his head.
“Phone down.”
Sofia lowered it.
Daniel looked at me.
“You really are difficult to kill.”
“I learned from your father.”
His expression twisted.
“Give me the original drive.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Alessandro does.”
He shoved the gun harder against Alessandro.
“Tell her.”
Alessandro looked at me.
“The drive is safe.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Daniel’s voice sharpened.
“Tell her where it is.”
“No.”
Daniel struck him.
I flinched.
Alessandro did not.
“Stop.”
I stepped forward.
Daniel smiled.
“There she is.”
“The protective mother.”
“You want the drive?”
“Yes.”
“Let him go.”
Daniel laughed.
“You have nothing to bargain with.”
“I have myself.”
Alessandro’s eyes flashed.
“No.”
I ignored him.
“Your father needs me silent.”
“He needs my child gone.”
“Take me.”
Daniel stared at me.
“Elizabeth.”
Alessandro’s voice became dangerous.
“Do not.”
“I’m not asking you.”
Daniel smiled.
“You two are entertaining.”
Then a distant alarm sounded.
His face changed.
“What is that?”
Sofia answered calmly.
“Federal agents.”
Daniel turned toward her.
She smiled.
“You should have checked my second phone.”
He raised the gun.
Alessandro moved.
Everything happened at once.
He swept Daniel’s leg.
The gun fired into the wall.
Sofia pulled me backward.
Gabriel entered with two agents.
Daniel hit the floor.
Alessandro grabbed the gun.
“Don’t move.”
Daniel stared up at his cousin.
“You won’t shoot me.”
Alessandro’s hand remained steady.
“You think because we share blood, I’ll protect you.”
“You always protect the family.”
“No.”
Alessandro looked at me.
Then back at Daniel.
“I protect my family.”
Federal agents rushed inside.
Daniel was handcuffed.
For several seconds, I could not move.
Then Alessandro crossed the room.
He stopped before touching me.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“The baby?”
“I think we’re okay.”
His eyes closed briefly.
When they reopened, the billionaire was gone.
The frightened man remained.
“I thought I lost you.”
“You didn’t.”
He reached toward me.
Then stopped.
I understood.
He was waiting for permission.
I stepped forward.
His arms closed around me.
For one minute, I let myself feel safe.
Then Gabriel entered.
“We found Matteo’s location.”
Alessandro released me.
“Where?”
“Vitali Tower.”
“Why would he go back there?”
“Because he is destroying records.”
Sofia looked at Gabriel.
“Daniel’s confession?”
“Recorded.”
“North Shore?”
“Federal agents are raiding the office now.”
I thought of my father.
Patrick.
Vittorio.
Seven years of fear.
“We can end this tonight.”
Alessandro shook his head.
“You are going to the hospital.”
“I’m fine.”
“You were kidnapped.”
“And Matteo is still free.”
“Federal agents will handle Matteo.”
I looked at him.
“You said I could choose.”
His jaw tightened.
“I said no such thing.”
“You didn’t have to.”
I stepped closer.
“If you want me in your life, you do not get to turn protection into control.”
He stared at me.
Then something changed.
Slowly.
Painfully.
He nodded.
“You’re right.”
Gabriel looked surprised.
I almost laughed.
Alessandro exhaled.
“But you still go to the hospital.”
“After my statement.”
“After.”
“Not before.”
“Fine.”
We shook hands.
Sofia stared at us.
“Are you negotiating prenatal care?”
“Yes.”
Alessandro answered without looking away from me.
“I’m beginning to understand that this may be the rest of my life.”
For the first time in days, I smiled.
Then Gabriel’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression immediately changed.
“What happened?”
He listened.
Then looked at Alessandro.
“Matteo is not destroying records.”
“What is he doing?”
May you like
Gabriel swallowed.
“He has taken the entire Vitali board hostage.”
