Chapter 14 - The WarehouseThe message directed them to an abandoned warehouse near the harbor.
Simon arrived with only two guards, both hidden outside the perimeter. Natasha entered beside him carrying no weapon.
Adrian waited beneath a hanging light.
He looked like Simon but younger, cleaner, and less burdened. His suit was gray. His hair was slicked back. His smile was familiar from old photographs.
Daniel sat in a chair behind him, conscious but restrained.
Natasha ran toward him.
Adrian raised a gun.
“Stop.”
She froze.
“Is he hurt?”
“He’s sedated.”
“What did you give him?”
“Nothing lethal.”
Simon’s voice was cold.
“You’re becoming Vincent.”
Adrian laughed.
“Vincent was an amateur.”
He gestured toward a table.
“Put the evidence there.”
Simon carried a metal case.
Inside were copies of the medical files, the financial records, and Elena’s recordings.
Adrian wanted control of the evidence.
Natasha glanced at Daniel.
His breathing was steady, but his eyes were unfocused.
She began tapping her fingers against her thigh.
Three beats.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
Daniel’s eyes moved toward her.
Adrian noticed.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“Stop.”
She stopped.
Simon watched her carefully.
Adrian opened the case.
“You always were predictable,” he said to Simon. “You think protecting people makes you strong.”
“No,” Simon replied. “It makes me responsible.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You could have ruled everything.”
“I don’t want Vincent’s empire.”
“You already have it.”
“I’m dismantling it.”
Adrian’s smile vanished.
“You would destroy our family?”
“Our family destroyed itself.”
Adrian raised the gun toward Daniel.
Natasha’s heart stopped.
“Give me the files.”
Simon pushed the case across the floor.
Adrian bent to pick it up.
Natasha moved.
She kicked the metal table into Adrian’s knees.
Simon fired at the ceiling.
The warehouse erupted in chaos.
Daniel fell sideways with the chair.
Natasha rushed toward him.
Adrian recovered and grabbed her from behind.
His arm locked around her throat.
Simon aimed his gun.
“Let her go.”
Adrian pressed the weapon against Natasha’s temple.
“You won’t shoot.”
“You’re right.”
Simon lowered the weapon.
Adrian smiled.
Then Simon threw it aside.
Adrian blinked.
Simon charged.
They collided near the loading platform.
Natasha freed herself and ran to Daniel. She cut the restraints with a broken piece of metal.
Daniel groaned.
“Natasha?”
“I’m here.”
“Who are they?”
“Long story.”
Behind her, Simon and Adrian fought brutally.
Adrian gained the advantage and reached for a knife.
Natasha saw the blade.
She picked up the abandoned microphone from the table.
“Adrian!”
He turned.
She struck his wrist.
The knife fell.
Simon tackled him.
The fight ended when Simon pinned Adrian to the concrete.
For several seconds, Simon’s fist hovered above Adrian’s face.
Adrian grinned through the blood.
“Do it.”
Simon’s fist tightened.
Natasha placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t become him.”
Simon breathed heavily.
Then he stood.
The hidden guards entered and restrained Adrian.
Outside, sirens approached.
Federal agents had followed them.
Daniel leaned against Natasha.
“You brought the police?”
“I brought people who know how to arrive late.”
Simon looked at her.
She gave him a tired smile.
Adrian was taken away.
The evidence was secured.
But before Simon left, he found something inside Adrian’s pocket.
A photograph.
It showed Elena holding the twins.
On the back, she had written one final sentence:
Family is what you protect after the blood stops being enough.
May you like
Simon stared at the words.
Then he folded the photograph and placed it over his heart.
