Chapter 8 - The Brother in the Dark
Amelia couldn't move.
Declan stared at the man.
For the first time since she had known him, Amelia saw genuine fear.
Not fear for himself.
Recognition.
“Matthew.”
The man smiled.
“That's what they called me.”
Gavin raised his weapon.
Matthew looked at him.
“Put it down.”
Gavin didn't.
Matthew's eyes moved toward Amelia.
His expression softened.
“So you're her.”
Amelia instinctively stepped behind Declan.
Matthew noticed.
“I don't blame you.”
Declan's voice was low.
“Why are you alive?”
Matthew laughed.
“Because our father wanted me alive.”
“You were five.”
“I was also valuable.”
Declan's eyes hardened.
“Where have you been?”
“Everywhere.”
Matthew stepped into the light.
“Private schools. Underground clinics. Safe houses. Europe.”
“Why come back?”
“Because he told me the family would be mine.”
“Who?”
Matthew smiled.
“Father.”
Declan shook his head.
“Anthony is dead.”
“Is he?”
Silence.
Matthew placed an old photograph on the table.
Anthony Voss stood beside a car.
Alive.
The date stamp said 2019.
Declan stared.
“That is impossible.”
“That's what they wanted you to believe.”
Amelia stepped forward.
“Why?”
Matthew looked at her.
“Because my father faked his death.”
Declan's face drained.
Matthew continued.
“He built the new empire through you.”
“Through me?”
“You became the public heir. You took the bullets, the lawsuits, the enemies.”
Matthew glanced at Amelia.
“And when you finally created your own bloodline, they came for the child.”
Amelia's hand moved over her stomach.
“Who?”
Matthew looked at Declan.
“Your uncle Victor.”
Declan went still.
“My uncle died before I was born.”
“Another lie.”
Matthew handed Gavin a file.
“Victor has been running the Voss organization for the last eight years.”
Gavin opened it.
His hands shook.
“That's impossible.”
Matthew's smile disappeared.
“Your problem, Gavin, is that you've always believed paperwork.”
Suddenly the doors opened.
Victor Voss entered.
Older.
Silver hair.
A cane in one hand.
A pistol in the other.
Declan raised his weapon.
Victor smiled.
“Enough.”
Matthew looked amused.
“You're late.”
Victor ignored him.
His attention went to Amelia.
“The child must come with us.”
Declan stepped in front of her.
“No.”
Victor sighed.
“I was hoping you would understand.”
“Never.”
“Then I'll explain.”
He pointed the gun.
“Your father left instructions.”
Declan's eyes narrowed.
“What instructions?”
Victor's smile was almost gentle.
“The child is the final key.”
“To what?”
Victor looked at Matthew.
“The inheritance.”
Amelia felt sick.
“What inheritance?”
Victor's eyes returned to her.
“An empire hidden beneath Chicago.”
Declan's face changed.
Victor continued.
“Your baby doesn't inherit money.”
He paused.
“He inherits names.”
Then every light in the church exploded.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Gunfire erupted.
Amelia screamed.
A hand grabbed her wrist.
She fought.
Then heard a whisper.
“It's me.”
Matthew.
“Trust me.”
He pulled her through a hidden door.
May you like
Behind them, Declan shouted her name.
And the door slammed shut.
