Chapter 5 - The Last Place He Expected
Victor did not run south.
He came back.
At midnight, Gwen woke to glass breaking downstairs.
She sat up.
Then she heard Adrian.
“Stay upstairs.”
She opened her bedroom door.
“Absolutely not.”
Adrian stood in the hallway.
“You have a remarkable relationship with instructions.”
“They're usually stupid.”
A voice came from downstairs.
“Adrian.”
Victor.
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
Then descended.
Gwen followed despite his glare.
Victor stood near the cold fireplace.
Alone.
No visible weapon.
No guards.
His expensive coat was soaked from the rain.
Adrian stopped.
“Where are your men?”
“Gone.”
“Smart men.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“You always were better at loyalty.”
“You treated loyalty like rent.”
“And you didn't?”
“No.”
Victor looked toward Gwen.
“This is because of her.”
Adrian's expression tightened.
“Don't.”
“You almost died and suddenly you're moral?”
“This started years before Gwen.”
“Then why protect her?”
Adrian looked at Gwen.
The answer came without hesitation.
“Because she protected me when she had nothing to gain.”
Victor stared.
Adrian continued.
“You wouldn't understand.”
Victor's face twisted.
“I gave everything to this family.”
“You stole from it.”
“I protected it!”
“You sabotaged my helicopter.”
“Because you were destroying what your father built!”
Adrian stepped closer.
“My father built fear.”
“He built power.”
“And I’m done inheriting his mistakes.”
Victor laughed.
“You think legitimacy will save you?”
“No.”
Adrian glanced at Gwen.
“But maybe becoming someone worth saving will.”
Gwen's expression softened despite herself.
Victor shook his head.
“You're pathetic.”
Outside, headlights appeared.
Victor turned.
Sheriff Barnes's cruiser stopped beside Marcus's SUV.
Victor looked at Adrian.
“You called police?”
“No.”
Gwen raised her hand.
“I did.”
Victor stared at her.
“You?”
“You broke my window.”
For one second, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Even Victor looked stunned.
Gwen shrugged.
“It's expensive glass.”
Barnes entered.
“Victor Salerno?”
Victor looked at Adrian.
“This is what you want?”
Adrian answered quietly.
“I want it finished.”
Barnes stepped forward.
Victor did not resist.
As he passed Gwen, he stopped.
“You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.”
Gwen looked him directly in the eyes.
“I repair engines for fishermen who think duct tape is preventive maintenance. You're not the most frightening man I've met this week.”
Barnes escorted him outside.
Marcus remained by the door.
“Federal investigators are waiting.”
Adrian nodded.
“Give them everything.”
Marcus hesitated.
“Everything?”
Adrian understood what he meant.
The records would expose Victor.
But they might expose parts of the Moretti organization too.
Years of secrets.
Money.
Crimes.
Adrian looked at Gwen.
She said nothing.
He turned back to Marcus.
“Everything.”
Marcus nodded.
May you like
That single word changed the Moretti family forever.
---
