Chapter 10 - THE PRICE OF A CHILD
Victor refused to let Lily enter the district alone.
Lily refused to let Ethan die because of her fear.
They argued in the estate’s underground garage.
“You are not walking into Adrian’s trap.”
Victor blocked the car door.
“He asked for me.”
“He wants the evidence.”
“Then give him a copy.”
Victor looked at Grace’s flash drive.
“We do not know what is on it.”
“We know Ethan is more important.”
Victor’s expression changed.
For years, no one had spoken to him that way.
Lily stepped closer.
“You built an empire by making people afraid.”
“Tonight, your son needs you to make one person feel safe.”
Victor looked away.
His answer came quietly.
“Bring me a bulletproof vest.”
They developed a plan.
Lily would enter carrying an empty metal box.
Victor and six men would approach through underground service tunnels.
Dr. Reeves would remain nearby with an ambulance.
Lily reached the abandoned packing plant twenty minutes before the deadline.
The air smelled of rust and frozen concrete.
Ethan’s cries echoed somewhere above her.
“Serena?”
A light switched on.
Marcus Kane stood on a steel platform.
His gun was pressed against Ethan’s blanket.
The child was tied inside a portable carrier.
“Put down the box.”
Lily obeyed.
“Where is Adrian?”
Marcus smiled.
“Close.”
“Why did you betray Victor?”
“I got tired of risking my life while he kept everything.”
Lily looked at Ethan.
“Give him to me.”
Marcus kicked the box away.
“You are the exchange.”
Lily’s blood ran cold.
“What do they want with me?”
“You know Grace’s code.”
“I already opened the box.”
“Grace created a second vault.”
Lily had known nothing about another vault.
Footsteps moved through the darkness.
Serena appeared behind Marcus.
Her face was scratched from the lake attack.
“You should have died on the marble floor.”
Lily kept her eyes on Ethan.
Serena descended the stairs.
“You ruined everything.”
“You hurt a baby.”
“He was an obstacle.”
Lily’s hands curled into fists.
Serena stopped inches away.
“Victor’s empire legally transfers to Ethan if Victor dies.”
“And as Ethan’s guardian after our marriage, I would have controlled it.”
“You were never going to marry Victor.”
Serena smiled.
“I was going to bury him.”
A gunshot exploded from the shadows.
Marcus staggered.
May you like
Victor stepped into the light.
Then Adrian emerged behind him and pressed a blade against his throat.
