Chapter 9 - THE HOSTAGE IN THE SHADOWS
I underestimated the desperation of a cornered rat.
While I was securing the estate, Matteo realized his empire was gone. With no men, no money, and the Commission's death warrant on his head, he resorted to the lowest tactic possible.
I received a video call on my secure line. It was Matteo. He looked unhinged, his hair disheveled, a frantic light in his eyes.
But it wasn't his face that made my blood run cold. It was the background. He was holding a gun to the head of little Sophia, the maid's daughter. He had tracked down Maria and Sophia while they were moving to a new safe house.
"Hello, big brother," Matteo sneered, his voice trembling with manic energy. "You took my money. You took my power. So I took the little rat who ruined everything."
Sophia was crying silently, her brave little face pale with terror.
"Matteo, let her go. This is between you and me. She’s an innocent child."
"Innocent? She dug your bastard out of the trash!" Matteo screamed. "Here is the deal, Lorenzo. You bring me the baby. You bring me the bearer bonds to your offshore accounts. You meet me at the old steel mill at midnight. Alone. Or the girl dies."
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The screen went black.
I stared at the phone, a dangerous calm settling over me. Matteo wanted a trade. He wanted my son for the girl. He didn't understand the kind of monster he had awakened. I was not going to trade one child for another. I was going to kill my brother.
