Chapter 5 - The Boy in Sloane's CarSloane's real bargainI couldn't move.
The boy in the SUV looked exactly like my sons.
Same dark hair.
Same eyes.
Same stubborn little crease.
Sloane stepped out.
The boy stayed beside her.
“Meet the fifth.”
Elena gasped.
“No.”
I looked at Sloane.
“You have my son.”
She smiled.
“No, Dominic.”
Her voice was strangely calm.
“I rescued him.”
“You stole him.”
“I saved him from your father.”
I raised my gun.
“Get away from him.”
The boy looked at me.
He wasn't afraid.
That terrified me more than anything.
Sloane placed one hand gently on his shoulder.
“His name is Gabriel.”
I stared.
“Gabriel.”
The boy nodded.
“That's what she called me.”
I looked at Elena.
She couldn't stop crying.
“Gabriel,” she whispered.
He immediately reached toward her.
“Mom?”
Elena covered her mouth.
Sloane released him.
He ran to Elena.
She fell to her knees and hugged him.
I turned to Sloane.
“What do you want?”
She removed a flash drive from her purse.
“The ledger.”
“You said Elena had it.”
“She does.”
Elena looked up.
“No.”
Sloane laughed.
“You've been protecting that thing for six years.”
Elena shook her head.
“I destroyed it.”
Sloane's smile vanished.
“No, you didn't.”
I looked between them.
“What ledger?”
Sloane lifted the flash drive.
“The copy.”
I stepped closer.
“Where is it?”
“Inside the Moretti mansion.”
The old mansion had been abandoned after my father's death.
Nobody went there.
Nobody except the people who were still hiding secrets.
Sloane continued.
“Your father knew five children would eventually become five claims to the Moretti estate.”
I frowned.
“Claims?”
“Your father built the empire around one rule.”
She looked directly into my eyes.
“Only a male Moretti could inherit everything.”
I stared.
“But I'm the only heir.”
“That was the plan.”
My stomach twisted.
“And the boys?”
Sloane nodded.
“The moment all five are recognized, the Barrett alliance becomes unnecessary.”
I looked at her.
“So the engagement…”
“Was never about love.”
I laughed bitterly.
“I knew that.”
“No.”
Sloane stepped closer.
“It was about control.”
She lowered her voice.
“Your father made a second will.”
My entire body went rigid.
“What second will?”
“The one that removes you from the inheritance if you marry outside the Barrett family.”
Elena's face changed.
“That's not possible.”
“It is.”
Sloane looked at me.
“And tonight, if you don't marry me, the entire Moretti empire goes to someone else.”
“Who?”
She looked toward Gabriel.
Then toward the four boys.
“Your father named all five grandchildren as heirs.”
I stared at the five children.
For the first time, I understood.
They weren't just children.
They were targets.
Footsteps sounded behind us.
Marco appeared from the darkness.
His shirt was soaked in blood.
I raised my gun.
“Marco.”
He stopped.
“Dominic, I know where your father hid the will.”
I lowered the weapon slightly.
“Where?”
He looked at the boys.
Then at Elena.
Then at Sloane.
“The conservatory.”
I froze.
“That place burns tonight.”
A distant explosion shook the street.
Black smoke rose over Boston.
Marco's face went pale.
“Too late.”
Another explosion.
Then my phone rang.
I answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
“Bring all five children to the conservatory.”
“What happens if I don't?”
The voice laughed.
“We start with Elena.”
The call ended.
Sloane looked at me.
For once, she looked genuinely terrified.
“Dominic…”
“What?”
“The voice.”
She swallowed.
“I know who it is.”
“Who?”
May you like
She looked toward the burning skyline.
“Your father.”
Related Stories
