Chapter 5 - The Last Target
We reached the Moretti estate before dawn.
Victor was already there.
Adrian's uncle stood in the old study feeding documents into the fireplace.
“Uncle.”
Victor turned.
For the first time, I saw fear on his face.
Then he saw my father.
“Daniel.”
“Been a while.”
Victor looked between them.
“This can be explained.”
Adrian closed the door.
“Try.”
Victor straightened his jacket.
“Your father built an empire. Empires require ugly decisions.”
“Selling our people wasn't a decision.”
“They were liabilities.”
“They trusted us.”
“They were expenses.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
Daniel moved toward an old bookshelf.
Victor blocked him.
“No.”
That single word told everyone everything.
Marcus stepped forward.
Victor backed away.
Daniel pulled one book from the shelf and pressed something behind it.
A narrow compartment opened.
Inside were ledgers.
Photographs.
Bank records.
Adrian stared at them.
Daniel said, “Your father suspected Victor. He asked me to build a case quietly.”
Victor laughed.
“My brother was weak.”
“No,” Adrian replied.
“He trusted you.”
“Same thing.”
Victor looked at me.
“And all this because some florist couldn't keep her mouth shut at a gala.”
I smiled faintly.
“You really should've blamed somebody else for that vase.”
Marcus laughed.
Even Daniel smiled.
Victor didn't.
He suddenly moved toward the desk.
Marcus intercepted him before he reached the drawer.
Adrian didn't flinch.
“Don't.”
Victor stopped.
Adrian looked almost disappointed.
“It's over.”
“You'll destroy this family.”
“No.”
Adrian gathered the ledgers.
“You did that years ago.”
By sunrise, federal investigators had the evidence.
Victor Moretti was arrested.
Whitman Cole agreed to cooperate before lunch.
By evening, half a dozen corrupt businesses tied to Victor were frozen.
And for the first time in six years, my father walked beside me without hiding his face.
We stood outside the estate.
Daniel looked at me.
“What happens now?”
“I don't know.”
“That's fair.”
“You don't get six years back because you say sorry.”
“I know.”
“But…”
He waited.
“You can buy me breakfast.”
Daniel smiled.
“That's a start.”
“Don't get excited.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Adrian approached.
Daniel looked between us.
“I remember that look.”
“What look?” I asked.
“The Moretti look.”
Adrian frowned.
“What exactly is the Moretti look?”
“Like you've already decided something belongs in your life and you're waiting for everyone else to realize it.”
I nearly choked.
“Dad.”
“What?”
Adrian actually laughed.
It was the first time I'd heard him do it.
Daniel pointed at him.
“She's still a better shot than your bodyguard.”
Marcus called from behind us.
“I heard that.”
“Good.”
I looked at Adrian.
“So what happens to the gala?”
“Technically, it ended badly.”
“You think?”
“I lost an uncle, exposed a traitor, and discovered my florist can embarrass my security chief.”
“Your florist?”
He paused.
“Poor choice of words.”
“Very.”
“What should I call you?”
“Grace works.”
He nodded.
“Grace.”
Something about the way he said it made my stomach tighten.
I ignored that.
May you like
Mostly.
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