Chapter 13 - The First SparrowThe truth spread through the Varrick empire like fire through dry timber.
Claire had not been an outsider.
She had been part of the story since childhood.
Her father had sold her to a network operating under Antonio Varrick.
Margaret rescued her.
Elena rescued Lily.
Evelyn helped them.
Then everyone turned on everyone else.
Gabriel sat in the penthouse library with Claire.
“You were sold?”
Claire nodded.
“I was three.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You didn't do it.”
“No.”
He looked at the window.
“But I benefited from the world that did.”
Claire didn't answer.
Lily slept upstairs.
For the first time in five days, she was eating.
Drinking.
Laughing.
But the danger wasn't over.
Antonio had escaped the hospital.
Dr. Price had disappeared.
Evelyn was missing.
And someone had accessed Gabriel's financial systems.
At 2:13 a.m., every phone in the penthouse received the same message.
ONE SPARROW REMAINS.
Claire looked at Gabriel.
“What does that mean?”
He didn't know.
Then the elevator doors opened.
Evelyn stepped out.
She was holding a newborn baby.
Claire froze.
“Whose child?”
Evelyn was crying.
“Mine.”
Gabriel raised his gun.
“Put the baby down.”
“I can't.”
“Evelyn.”
“He'll kill her.”
“Who?”
Evelyn looked toward the hallway.
“Antonio.”
Claire stared.
“He has another child?”
“No.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“He has another heir.”
Gabriel frowned.
Then Evelyn handed Claire a photograph.
A little boy.
Black hair.
Gray eyes.
Age four.
Claire stared.
The boy looked exactly like Gabriel.
“That's impossible.”
Evelyn whispered:
“Your wife had twins.”
Gabriel went silent.
“Twins?”
“One was Lily.”
“The other?”
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“Taken the same night.”
Gabriel stared at the photograph.
“Where is he?”
Evelyn whispered:
“With Antonio.”
Suddenly a gunshot shattered the windows.
Glass exploded across the room.
Gabriel dragged Claire behind the sofa.
Evelyn screamed.
The baby began crying.
A second shot.
Then a message appeared on the television.
Antonio's face.
Smiling.
“Good morning, son.”
Gabriel stared at the screen.
Antonio held a little boy's hand.
A boy with Lily's eyes.
“My grandson,” Antonio said.
May you like
Then he smiled.
“And your replacement.”
