Chapter 13 - THE FIRST SONAdrian's Real ReasonAdrian had been erased from the family records.
Victor's first son.
Mara's first heir.
The child Isabella took away because she believed he was too dangerous.
He returned twenty years ago.
And he had spent those twenty years dismantling the family from inside.
Not for money.
For revenge.
Alina met him in an abandoned theater three nights later.
He was alone.
No guards.
No gun visible.
"Why did you use Leo?"
Adrian looked at her.
"Because he was the only person Matteo would die for."
"He is a baby."
"I never hurt him."
"That's not an answer."
"No."
Adrian looked exhausted.
"I didn't."
Alina stepped closer.
"You arranged the restaurant."
"Yes."
"The wine."
"Yes."
"Leo."
"Yes."
"The pendant."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian stared at her.
"Because I needed you to choose the dragon."
"I don't understand."
"You've been taught to fear it your whole life."
He smiled faintly.
"Fear is useful."
"What do you want?"
"To end it."
"The empire?"
"The bloodline."
Alina frowned.
"You could walk away."
"So could you."
He looked toward the stage.
"My mother built a machine that eats people. Victor fed it. Isabella protected it. Gabriel tried to expose it. Matteo tried to inherit it."
"And you?"
"I intend to destroy it."
Alina stared.
"Then why am I here?"
"Because the machine belongs to you."
"The legal holdings."
"Yes."
"The money."
"Yes."
"The companies."
"Yes."
"And the dragon."
"Yes."
Adrian stepped closer.
"You can end everything with one signature."
Alina shook her head.
"I don't want any of it."
"Then sign it to charity."
"That simple?"
"No."
He reached into his coat.
"Because someone else is preparing to take it."
He showed her a document.
The name at the bottom made her blood freeze.
Matteo Vescari.
She looked up.
"What is this?"
"His succession agreement."
"He's the rightful heir."
"Not according to Victor."
Adrian pointed to the final clause.
In the absence of a living heir, Matteo inherits all Vescari assets.
Alina's eyes widened.
"He needed me dead."
Adrian nodded.
"That's why your mother ran."
"Wait."
Alina thought.
"Then why did Matteo protect me?"
Adrian's face softened.
"Because he didn't know."
"And now?"
"He knows."
The theater doors opened.
Matteo stood there.
His weapon was drawn.
"Step away from her."
Adrian smiled.
"Ask her."
Matteo looked at Alina.
She held up the document.
"Did you know?"
"No."
"Do you want the empire?"
"No."
"Do you want me dead?"
Matteo looked almost offended.
"No."
"Then prove it."
He lowered his gun.
Adrian watched.
"How?"
Alina picked up the succession agreement.
"Tear it up."
Matteo stepped forward.
He took the document.
And tore it in half.
Then in half again.
He dropped the pieces.
"I don't want what belongs to you."
Adrian smiled.
"Good."
A shot cracked from the balcony.
Matteo turned.
Blood appeared on his shoulder.
Alina screamed.
Adrian looked up.
"Carlo."
Then another shot.
May you like
Adrian fell.
And somewhere in the darkness, a woman laughed.
