Chapter 4 - The Secret My Father Left Behind
Roman wanted to send men.
I refused.
“It’s my apartment.”
“It may be watched.”
“Then your men walking inside will tell Victor exactly what we’re doing.”
Roman hated that I was right.
We went after midnight.
Marco drove.
Roman sat beside me.
“You stay behind me.”
“You said that in the alley.”
“And?”
“You nearly died.”
“I’m feeling much better.”
“You were shot yesterday.”
“Technically, two days ago.”
“That does not improve your argument.”
We entered through the rear staircase.
I knew every inch of my apartment.
That made me useful.
“Stop,” I whispered.
Roman froze.
“What?”
“Someone moved the hallway table.”
“How can you tell?”
“My cane normally touches it after four steps.”
Marco whispered, “Someone’s been inside.”
My bedroom had been searched.
Drawers opened.
Mattress moved.
Closet disturbed.
But the music box remained where I had kept it for seven years.
My father gave it to me shortly before disappearing.
“Claire,” he had said, “never throw this away.”
I had assumed sentiment.
Roman handed it to me.
My fingers moved across the wooden surface.
Something was different.
A tiny indentation beneath the base.
I pressed it.
Click.
A hidden compartment opened.
Marco exhaled.
Inside was a small flash drive.
Roman said, “Your father was smarter than all of us.”
Then the apartment door slammed.
Marco drew his weapon.
“Back!”
Gunfire cracked from the hallway.
Roman pulled me behind the kitchen wall.
“Stay down.”
“I can help.”
“Claire—”
“Turn off the lights.”
He understood.
Marco hit the switch.
Darkness.
For them.
Not for me.
I listened.
Rain against windows.
Marco breathing near the refrigerator.
Roman beside me.
And footsteps.
Two intruders.
One moving along the hallway.
One near the living room.
“Roman.”
“What?”
I whispered, “One is six feet to your left.”
Roman moved.
A struggle.
A crash.
Then silence.
The second man ran.
I heard his shoe scrape broken glass.
“Marco! Right side!”
Marco intercepted him.
Seconds later, it was over.
Roman returned.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
His hands checked my shoulders.
“Roman.”
“What?”
“You’re squeezing me.”
He released me.
“Sorry.”
“You were scared.”
“No.”
“Liar.”
A pause.
“Fine.”
That was the first time I understood something important.
Roman DeLuca was not afraid of dying.
He was afraid of failing to protect people.
We returned to the safe house.
Marco decrypted the drive.
The files revealed years of payments, names, accounts, and recorded conversations.
Victor Sanz had betrayed Roman’s father.
But another recording mattered more.
My father’s voice.
I recognized it instantly.
“If anyone finds this, Victor is responsible. The DeLucas aren’t innocent, but Victor is planning something worse. He wants both families destroyed so he can take control.”
I covered my mouth.
My father continued.
“And Claire, if somehow you hear this…”
My heart broke.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come home.”
Roman stood beside me without touching me.
The recording ended.
Marco cleared his throat.
“There’s a location attached.”
“Where?” Roman asked.
“Old Calder Freight warehouse.”
I knew immediately.
“Lena.”
Roman grabbed his coat.
“No.”
I stood.
“I’m coming.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Victor wants me.”
“Exactly.”
“And that’s why he’ll keep Lena alive until I arrive.”
Roman’s voice dropped.
“I am not using you as bait.”
“You’re not.”
I picked up my cane.
May you like
“I’m using myself.”
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