Chapter 8 - Michael Moretti looked at Adrian through the screen.For several seconds, neither spoke.
They had the same eyes.
That was the first thing Adrian noticed.
Not similar eyes.
The same eyes.
The same dark brown color.
The same slight downward angle at the outer corners.
Even the same scar near the right eyebrow.
Adrian whispered:
“You're not my brother.”
Michael smiled.
“No?”
“My parents had two sons.”
“Your parents lied.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Where is Lily?”
“Safe.”
“Bring her here.”
Michael shook his head.
“Not until you understand.”
“I don't care about your explanation.”
“You will.”
Emma stepped closer to the screen.
“Michael?”
His expression changed.
“You remember me.”
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
“I met you once.”
“No.”
He smiled sadly.
“You met me many times.”
“I didn't.”
“You just didn't know who I was.”
Adrian looked at her.
“What is he talking about?”
Michael leaned toward the camera.
“Ask Emma what happened six years ago at 11:48.”
Emma closed her eyes.
Adrian turned toward her.
“Tell me.”
She didn't answer.
“Emma.”
“I was in this room.”
Michael nodded.
“With Daniel.”
Adrian looked at Daniel.
Daniel lowered his head.
“What happened?”
Emma finally spoke.
“Matteo came here.”
“Why?”
“He had discovered the accounts.”
“Which accounts?”
“The ones your brother controlled.”
Adrian frowned.
“My brother didn't control them.”
Michael laughed softly.
“Not willingly.”
Emma continued.
“He told Daniel he wanted to leave.”
“Leave what?”
“The family.”
Adrian's expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because he learned your father had created a private network of shell companies.”
“And?”
“Those companies weren't used only for money.”
Adrian stared at her.
“For what?”
Emma hesitated.
“People.”
Silence.
Daniel looked at Adrian.
“Human trafficking.”
Adrian went still.
Michael watched him.
“Your family wasn't just moving cargo.”
Adrian's voice hardened.
“Proof.”
Michael nodded toward the room.
“All around you.”
Adrian looked at the boxes.
He opened one.
Shipping records.
Names.
Dates.
Ports.
People classified as cargo.
Some had been marked as minors.
His stomach turned.
He closed the file.
“This can't be real.”
Michael answered:
“It is.”
Daniel took a step toward the screen.
“You said Lily would be safe.”
“She is.”
“Then release her.”
“No.”
Daniel's face hardened.
“You promised.”
“I promised she wouldn't die.”
Emma covered her mouth.
Michael's eyes moved toward her.
“The men who were hunting you aren't the same men Daniel remembers.”
“What do you mean?”
“They've grown.”
“Who are they?”
Michael looked directly at Adrian.
“Your own board.”
Adrian froze.
“My board?”
“Three men.”
Michael named them.
“Gregory Sloan.”
“Nathan Cole.”
“And Victor Hale.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“Victor is dead.”
Michael smiled.
“No.”
A soft beep sounded.
The screen split.
On one side was Lily.
On the other was live security footage from Adrian's mansion.
A man was walking through the east corridor.
He wore a dark suit.
He was carrying a black umbrella.
Adrian stared.
The man stopped beneath the chandelier.
Looked directly into the camera.
And smiled.
Adrian whispered:
“Victor.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“That isn't possible.”
Michael's voice was calm.
“Now you understand why your house has never been secure.”
Adrian turned toward Marcus.
“Call every perimeter team.”
Marcus did.
No answer.
He tried again.
Nothing.
His face changed.
“They're offline.”
Michael nodded.
“Because Victor already has them.”
Adrian's eyes flashed.
“Where is Lily?”
Michael's expression softened.
“She needs to tell you something.”
The screen zoomed toward the child.
Lily looked frightened.
Adrian stepped closer.
“Lily?”
She nodded.
“Do you see the man?”
“Yes.”
“Who is he?”
She looked at the camera.
“The bad man.”
“Victor?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Adrian frowned.
“Then who?”
Lily hugged Bunny.
“The man who looks like you.”
Michael's expression changed.
Daniel turned toward Adrian.
Marcus slowly raised his gun.
“What did she say?”
Lily whispered:
“He comes when Mommy sleeps.”
Adrian stared at the screen.
Then Michael spoke.
“She has seen him before.”
“Who?”
Michael leaned back.
“The man wearing your face.”
The feed cut.
At that exact moment, the vault door slammed shut.
Adrian turned.
Marcus was standing beside the control panel.
His hand was on the emergency lock.
“Marcus?”
Marcus looked at him.
“I’m sorry.”
Adrian raised his weapon.
Marcus pressed a button.
Gas hissed from the vents.
Emma dropped first.
Then Daniel.
Adrian staggered.
His vision blurred.
The last thing he saw before collapsing was Marcus standing over him.
And behind Marcus...
May you like
another Adrian.
:::
