Chapter 9 - The Woman Who Knew the Secret
Amelia stumbled through a narrow tunnel beneath the church.
Matthew moved quickly.
“Keep going.”
“Where is Declan?”
“Alive.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if he were dead, my father would have announced it.”
Amelia stopped.
“Your father?”
“Anthony.”
She stared at him.
“You really believe he's alive?”
“I've seen him.”
“Where?”
“Chicago.”
The tunnel opened into an underground garage.
A woman waited beside a black sedan.
She looked at Amelia.
Then at Matthew.
“You brought her.”
“Yes.”
The woman sighed.
“Then we're out of time.”
Amelia recognized her.
Savannah.
“You.”
Savannah stepped closer.
“I know what you're thinking.”
“That everyone around Declan is insane?”
Savannah almost smiled.
“Fair.”
Matthew opened the car.
“Get in.”
Amelia refused.
“Where is Declan?”
Savannah answered.
“Taken.”
Her stomach dropped.
“By Victor?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“Anthony.”
Amelia froze.
Meanwhile, Declan woke in a cold room.
His wrists were tied.
A light hung above him.
Someone sat in the shadows.
Declan knew the silhouette immediately.
“Father.”
Anthony Voss smiled.
“You grew up.”
Declan stared.
“You're dead.”
“I've heard that.”
“Why did you let me believe it?”
“Because you were useful.”
Declan's voice became dangerous.
“You used me.”
“I raised you.”
“You used me.”
Anthony leaned forward.
“Did you ever wonder why every enemy always seemed to know exactly where you were?”
Declan's eyes narrowed.
“Your security.”
“My organization.”
“You knew?”
“I knew everything.”
Anthony stood.
“The engagement to Savannah was never about Savannah.”
“Then what?”
“You.”
Declan laughed without humor.
“You already had me.”
“No.”
Anthony walked toward him.
“I had your loyalty.”
He stopped.
“I needed your obedience.”
Declan pulled against the restraints.
“What about Amelia?”
Anthony's smile disappeared.
“She is a complication.”
“Touch her and I will bury everyone you've ever loved.”
Anthony studied him.
“You still don't understand.”
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Amelia at the Asheville clinic.
Then another.
The baby ultrasound.
Then another.
A DNA report.
Declan looked at the result.
His breathing stopped.
The report showed a genetic match between the unborn child and a Voss family sample.
But the paternity line was partially blacked out.
Anthony said quietly:
“Your child is not the only secret Amelia is carrying.”
Declan looked up.
“What did you do?”
Anthony smiled.
“Nothing.”
He turned toward the door.
“Your brother did.”
Declan's blood ran cold.
Outside the room, footsteps approached.
A nurse entered.
She held a syringe.
Anthony nodded.
“Keep him conscious.”
Declan fought the restraints.
“What is that?”
The nurse smiled.
“Something that makes people remember things they were trained to forget.”
The needle moved toward his arm.
And across the city, Amelia received a message from an unknown number.
DECLAN THINKS HE LOVES YOU.
May you like
A second message followed.
ASK HIM WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT MATTHEW DIED.
