Chapter 3 - Raven Ridge
Raven Ridge looked abandoned.
That was intentional.
The mountain estate sat behind twelve miles of forest, surrounded by cliffs and frozen streams.
From the outside, it resembled an old hunting lodge.
Inside were reinforced doors, surveillance systems, emergency generators, medical supplies, and enough security to survive a siege.
Walter stared around the main room.
"What kind of person owns a place like this?"
"Someone with enemies."
"Apparently."
Eli walked toward the fireplace.
Goliath immediately collapsed on the rug.
Gabriel approached me.
"We confirmed the hospital shooter."
"Damian?"
"Contractor."
"Alive?"
"Yes."
"Talkative?"
"He became talkative."
"What did he know?"
Gabriel hesitated.
"Damian's moving against your businesses tonight."
"Let him."
Gabriel frowned.
"Let him?"
"I want him confident."
"Roman, he's taking warehouses, accounts, captains—"
"Things."
"What?"
"Those are things."
I looked toward Eli.
"That kid isn't."
Gabriel studied me.
"I've worked for you seventeen years."
"And?"
"I've never heard you say anything like that."
"Get used to disappointment."
He smiled slightly.
Then Walter entered.
"We need to talk."
We stepped onto the porch.
Snow drifted through the pine trees.
Walter crossed his arms.
"My daughter died five years ago."
I said nothing.
"Eli's mother."
"I'm sorry."
"His father disappeared before he was born. So that boy is all I've got."
"I understand."
"No, you don't."
Walter stepped closer.
"You live in a world where people solve problems with money and bullets."
"Sometimes."
"I taught Eli that helping strangers matters."
He pointed through the window.
"Yesterday he proved he believed me."
His voice lowered.
"Don't make me regret teaching him that."
I met his eyes.
"I won't."
Suddenly Gabriel opened the door.
"Roman."
"What?"
"We've got movement."
The security monitors showed three black SUVs approaching the outer gate.
Walter cursed.
"How?"
"Someone gave them the location."
Gabriel looked at me.
"Only seven people knew."
"Then one of seven betrayed us."
Eli appeared behind Walter.
"What's happening?"
I crouched.
"Game."
Walter frowned.
I continued.
"You and Goliath are going downstairs with your grandfather."
"What game?"
"Hide-and-seek."
"I'm nine, not stupid."
Fair point.
"Fine. Bad men are coming."
"Your brother?"
"Probably."
Eli looked frightened.
Then he asked something I didn't expect.
"Are you scared?"
Everyone became quiet.
I considered lying.
"Yes."
Gabriel stared at me.
Eli looked surprised.
"The Reaper gets scared?"
Walter's eyes narrowed.
"The what?"
"Later," I said.
Eli asked, "What are you scared of?"
I looked directly at him.
"Not getting you out."
He nodded.
"Then let's go."
---
The attack never reached the house.
My security intercepted the vehicles at the outer road.
Within twenty minutes, it was over.
No dramatic battle.
No heroic speeches.
Just men realizing they had entered a property designed by someone more paranoid than they were.
Gabriel returned.
"We have one alive."
"Who?"
His expression was grim.
"Victor Hale."
My former adviser.
The man who'd sent me to West Virginia.
Victor was brought into the library.
His expensive coat was torn.
Blood marked his lip.
He smiled when he saw me.
"Roman."
"Victor."
"You look better than expected."
"You look worse."
He chuckled.
I sat across from him.
"Why?"
"Damian offered me something you never did."
"What?"
"Freedom."
"From what?"
"You."
Victor leaned forward.
"Twenty-five years, Roman. Everyone lives in your shadow."
"That doesn't explain burying me."
"No."
His smile disappeared.
"Money explains that."
Walter stood near the doorway.
Victor noticed him.
Then he noticed Eli.
Something changed in his eyes.
I saw it.
So did Goliath.
The dog growled.
Victor smiled.
"There's our little hero."
I stood.
"Don't look at him."
"Damian was right."
"About what?"
"The boy changed you."
Victor laughed.
"The Reaper finally found something he's afraid to lose."
My voice became quiet.
"Take him downstairs."
Gabriel grabbed Victor.
Victor shouted as they dragged him away.
"Damian's coming himself!"
I turned.
"What?"
"He wants the boy alive!"
Gabriel stopped.
Victor grinned.
"Ask yourself why."
The room became silent.
I walked toward him.
"Why?"
Victor's smile widened.
"Because Eli didn't just find you."
My stomach tightened.
May you like
"He found something else."
---
