Chapter 10 - The Judas Kiss
The revelation hit Dominic with the force of a physical blow.
He stared at the screen, parsing through the dates and transaction ledgers. Five years ago, Elena hadn't fled because she fell out of love; she had discovered that Julian was orchestrating Dominic’s assassination to seize control of the Vance syndicate. When Julian realized she held the proof, he framed her as a mole and put a bounty on her head.
Elena had fled to protect Dominic from an ambush, and to keep the child growing inside her safe from a brother who would murder anyone threatening his claim to the empire. She had run straight into the shadows of Morozov territory to vanish from the grid entirely.
""Julian,"" Dominic breathed, the name tasting like ash on his tongue.
His satellite phone rang. The private caller ID displayed Julian’s name.
Dominic masked his voice, projecting the image of a stressed, cornered leader. ""Julian.""
""Dominic! Thank God you picked up,"" Julian’s voice poured through the receiver, brimming with manufactured anxiety. ""I heard rumors about a breach at your penthouse. Two bodies. Blood everywhere. Where the hell are you? Are you safe?""
""I'm secure,"" Dominic answered smoothly. ""Elena came to me. She brought something Morozov wants. Nikolai has her at the Old Pier warehouse.""
A brief, almost imperceptible hesitation lingered on the other end of the line. ""Elena? Alive? Dominic, that woman is poison. She betrayed you five years ago. You can't trust anything she claims.""
""I'm going to the Old Pier at dawn to trade the drive for her life,"" Dominic continued, ignoring the bait. ""I need your tactical squad to flank the perimeter from the south side. Cut off their retreat.""
""Of course. Family first, always,"" Julian said, his tone dripping with false warmth. ""I'll assemble the best men we have and secure the exits. You won't be alone in there, brother.""
""I know I won't,"" Dominic replied.
He ended the call, shutting the laptop with a sharp click. Julian wasn't coming to support him. Julian would arrive to ensure neither Dominic nor Elena left that warehouse alive.
Dominic turned to Maya, who was watching him with wide, solemn eyes. ""Maya, I need you to listen to me very carefully. You are going to stay in a special room here for a few hours. No matter what sounds you hear, you do not open the door until I return.""
May you like
She nodded solemnly, hugging Barnaby tightly. ""I'll be brave. Like Mommy.""
Dominic checked his tactical vest, chambering a round into his custom assault rifle. He had two debts of blood to collect at sunrise.
