Chapter 5 - The Girl for the Empire
Hunter did not go alone.
He simply made Salvatore believe he had.
An abandoned warehouse in Red Hook sat beside the water.
Midnight.
Hunter entered through the main doors.
Salvatore stood beneath a hanging industrial light.
"You came."
"You threatened Khloe."
"I knew that would work."
"She's nobody to you."
Salvatore smiled.
"Exactly."
Hunter's jaw tightened.
Salvatore continued.
"Three months ago, you would've sacrificed ten strangers to protect the family."
"No."
"You've forgotten who you are."
"I remember exactly who I am."
"And what is that?"
Hunter stepped into the light.
"A man who survived you."
Salvatore reached inside his coat.
Hunter didn't move.
"Careful."
Salvatore froze.
Red laser dots appeared across his chest.
Marco's voice came from the darkness.
"Very careful."
Men emerged along the upper walkway.
Salvatore stared.
"You said alone."
Hunter shrugged.
"I lied."
Khloe's voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Apparently he's good at that."
Hunter spun around.
His face went white.
"What are you doing here?"
Khloe emerged from behind Marco.
"Making sure you don't do something stupid."
"I told you to stay at the penthouse."
"And I've been ignoring orders from men my entire life."
"This isn't funny."
"No."
She looked at Salvatore.
"It's not."
Salvatore suddenly grabbed a metal pipe from a nearby table and lunged toward her.
Hunter moved instantly.
He stepped between them.
Marco and two men tackled Salvatore before he reached either of them.
Hunter didn't strike his uncle.
He simply stared down at him.
Salvatore shouted, "Kill me!"
"No."
"Coward!"
Hunter crouched.
"You wanted the old Russo family."
Salvatore spat near his shoes.
Hunter remained calm.
"The one where every betrayal ended with a body."
"Yes."
"That's exactly why I'm not giving it to you."
Salvatore stared.
Hunter stood.
"Turn him over."
Marco nodded.
"Federal investigators already have the financial records?"
"Everything."
Salvatore's face changed.
"You wouldn't."
Hunter looked at him.
"I just did."
Salvatore was taken away.
Khloe watched until the warehouse doors closed.
"That's it?"
Hunter nodded.
"No dramatic execution?"
"No."
"No river?"
"No."
"Good."
Hunter turned toward her.
"Now explain why you're here."
"I was worried."
"You could've been killed."
"So could you."
"I'm accustomed to it."
"That's possibly the dumbest thing you've ever said."
Hunter stepped closer.
"Khloe."
"What?"
"You can't keep saving me."
She looked up at him.
"Apparently somebody has to."
Hunter laughed quietly.
Then his expression changed.
Serious.
Almost vulnerable.
"What happens tomorrow?"
Khloe understood the question.
"You promised I'd be free."
"You are."
"And the fifty thousand?"
"Yours."
"And school?"
"I already contacted NYU."
Her mouth fell open.
"You what?"
"Asked whether your credits could be restored."
"Hunter!"
"I didn't pay anything."
She stared suspiciously.
"I only asked."
"And?"
"They said yes."
Khloe didn't speak.
"You could finish."
Her eyes filled, but she blinked the tears away.
Hunter gently added, "Your life doesn't have to stay underneath that bridge."
Khloe looked toward the river.
"No."
Then back at him.
May you like
"It doesn't."
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