Chapter 5 - The Man Who Controlled Everything
Daniel Cross had been part of the Moretti family for twenty-seven years.
He had handled Adrian’s father’s estate.
He had attended birthdays.
Funerals.
Christmas dinners.
He had even helped Adrian choose Leo’s first school.
And according to Victoria, he controlled the trust holding hundreds of millions of dollars in assets.
Adrian stared at his sister.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I found the amended trust yesterday.”
“Where?”
“Father’s private archive.”
“And you came here because?”
“I thought you changed it.”
Adrian laughed once.
Coldly.
“You thought I was planning to kill my own son?”
“I didn’t know what to think.”
Leo appeared behind me.
Adrian saw him.
His anger disappeared.
“Come here.”
Leo hesitated.
Then walked to his father.
Adrian lifted him carefully.
“Did Uncle Daniel give you the juice?”
Leo nodded.
“Did he tell you anything?”
“He said Aunt Victoria wanted me upstairs.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“He framed me.”
Adrian looked at one of his guards.
“Find Daniel.”
The guard made a call.
Seconds later, his expression changed.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Daniel’s house is empty.”
Adrian cursed quietly.
The guard continued.
“His office too.”
“Airports?”
“We’re checking.”
My phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
Unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
My apartment building.
Then a message.
COME HOME, WILLA.
I showed Adrian.
His face changed instantly.
“No.”
“What?”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Another message arrived.
COME ALONE OR THE NEXT PICTURE IS YOUR LANDLORD BLEEDING.
I swallowed.
“My landlord is seventy.”
Adrian took my phone.
“You’re staying here.”
“You think I’m letting an old man get hurt?”
“It’s bait.”
“I know.”
“Then act like it.”
I stepped closer.
“You were ready to tear Chicago apart for Leo.”
“He’s my son.”
“And Mr. Harris has brought my groceries upstairs every week for two years because our elevator doesn’t work.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“It is to me.”
Adrian stared at me.
Then something shifted in his expression.
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“We go together.”
The plan was simple.
Which meant it immediately went wrong.
My apartment building appeared empty when we arrived.
Adrian’s men surrounded the block.
I entered with Adrian.
“Mr. Harris?”
No answer.
We climbed to the second floor.
My apartment door was open.
Adrian caught my arm.
“Behind me.”
Inside, the lights were off.
A man sat at my kitchen table.
Daniel Cross.
Mr. Harris sat beside him, frightened but unharmed.
Daniel smiled.
“Ms. Vance.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Let him go.”
Daniel looked almost disappointed.
“You weren’t invited.”
“You kidnapped my son.”
“I arranged leverage.”
“He’s six.”
“And worth four hundred million dollars.”
My stomach turned.
Adrian’s voice dropped.
“You drugged him.”
“A necessary precaution.”
“He could have died.”
“But he didn’t.”
Adrian moved.
Daniel immediately raised a small remote.
“Stop.”
Adrian froze.
Daniel smiled.
“Gas line downstairs.”
I looked toward the kitchen.
“You’re bluffing.”
“Try me.”
I studied him.
Something felt wrong.
Then I noticed the stove.
Electric.
I looked at Daniel.
“This building doesn’t have gas.”
His smile disappeared.
Adrian moved instantly.
His men entered behind us.
Daniel was on the floor before he could reach the door.
Mr. Harris ran toward me.
“Willa!”
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Adrian stood over Daniel.
“Why Leo?”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Because your father was a fool.”
“Explain.”
“He gave everything to that child.”
“Not everything.”
“Enough.”
Daniel looked at Victoria, who had entered behind the guards.
“And if Leo disappeared, suspicion would fall on her. If Adrian died looking for him…”
Victoria finished quietly.
“You would remain trustee.”
Daniel smiled.
“For years.”
Adrian stared at him.
“You nearly killed my son for money you already had.”
“No.”
Daniel looked toward me.
“For power.”
Police sirens sounded outside.
I looked at Adrian.
“You called the police?”
He gave me a dry look.
“You seem surprised.”
“A little.”
Daniel was taken away.
So was Anthony, who eventually agreed to cooperate.
Mr. Harris was safe.
Leo was safe.
It should have ended there.
But when Adrian drove me back to his mansion, I found a suitcase waiting beside the front door.
Mine.
I stared at it.
Then at him.
“You broke into my apartment?”
“I had someone collect your things.”
“Adrian.”
“You’re staying here.”
“Adrian.”
“Temporarily.”
“Adrian!”
Leo came running down the stairs.
“Willa!”
He hugged my legs.
Adrian folded his arms.
I looked from father to son.
“This is emotional blackmail.”
Adrian nodded toward Leo.
“He’s very good at it.”
Leo looked up.
“Stay?”
I sighed.
“One week.”
Adrian’s mouth curved.
“Two.”
“One.”
“Ten days.”
“Seven.”
“Deal.”
He extended his hand.
I shook it.
Neither of us let go immediately.
May you like
And suddenly, seven days felt dangerously long.
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