CHAPTER 6 THE MAFIA BOSS BREAKS HIS OWN RULE
The alarms screamed through the mansion.
Red emergency lights flashed across the corridor.
Maya stood frozen in Julian's arms.
Outside, engines roared.
One vehicle.
Then another.
Then another.
Headlights swept across the windows until the entire estate looked surrounded.
Daniel looked through the broken glass.
His face hardened.
"They're here."
Julian kept one arm around Maya.
"How many?"
"At least twenty."
"Armed?"
Daniel gave him a look.
"You already know the answer."
Derek appeared at the end of the corridor.
"Julian!"
He ran toward them.
"She's alive."
Julian nodded.
Derek looked at Maya.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"I'm okay."
Derek exhaled.
Then he noticed Daniel.
For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Derek had known Daniel was alive for less than an hour.
Yet seeing him standing there was different.
The dead man had become a living man.
A ghost with a heartbeat.
Derek finally said:
"You're really him."
Daniel gave a faint smile.
"Unfortunately."
A gunshot struck the window.
Everyone ducked.
Julian looked at Derek.
"How many exits?"
"Two."
"Which ones are clear?"
"Neither."
Julian's expression became cold.
"Then we'll make one."
Maya looked at him.
"Julian..."
He turned.
"You stay behind me."
"No."
His eyebrows lifted.
"No?"
"I'm done being the person everyone moves around like luggage."
"Maya."
"I need answers."
"This isn't the time."
"It became the time when someone kidnapped me."
Julian stared at her.
She didn't look away.
Something changed in his expression.
Respect.
Maybe even pride.
He nodded once.
"Fine."
Daniel looked at Maya.
"Then listen carefully."
She turned toward him.
"You're the reason this started."
Maya swallowed.
"I know."
"No."
Daniel shook his head.
"You don't."
He pointed toward the necklace around her neck.
"You've carried that since you were five."
Maya touched it.
"My mother gave it to me."
"Your mother didn't make it."
"What?"
"The pendant was made by your father."
She stared.
"Rafael?"
Daniel nodded.
"He gave it to Isabella before Maya was born."
Maya's fingers tightened around the silver pendant.
"What does it open?"
"The archive."
"Where?"
Daniel looked at Julian.
"Here."
Julian's eyes narrowed.
"Under the house?"
"Under the lake."
Derek frowned.
"What?"
Daniel continued.
"There's a second chamber beneath the estate."
Julian stared at him.
"Why didn't Father ever tell me?"
"Because you weren't supposed to know."
"Daniel."
"I was."
Julian's jaw tightened.
"You knew everything."
"I knew enough to disappear."
Maya looked between them.
"What is in the archive?"
Daniel answered:
"Names."
"Whose?"
"Politicians. Judges. Police officers. Bankers."
He paused.
"People who were paid to protect the three families."
Maya's face went pale.
"And my mother?"
"She stole the ledger."
"Why?"
"Because she discovered what they planned to do."
"What?"
Daniel looked at Julian.
"Kill everyone who knew the truth."
Maya whispered:
"My mother knew."
"Yes."
"Daniel knew."
"Yes."
"And my father?"
Daniel's expression became grim.
"Your father was the one who tried to stop them."
Maya looked at the necklace.
"Then why did they say Rafael was the villain?"
"Because dead men can't defend themselves."
Julian's eyes hardened.
"My father blamed Mendoza."
"Victor needed an enemy."
"Why?"
"Because the real enemy was much closer."
Daniel looked at Julian.
"Inside the Croft family."
Julian's expression became unreadable.
"Who?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"We have to survive tonight first."
A vehicle crashed through the estate gates.
The sound shook the house.
Derek looked toward the windows.
"They're coming in."
Julian turned to Daniel.
"Can we reach the underground chamber?"
"Yes."
"Then move."
They ran.
Maya followed.
The mansion shook with gunfire.
Julian kept his body between Maya and every possible line of fire.
She noticed.
Every time a shot sounded, his arm moved automatically toward her.
Every time they passed a window, he checked it first.
Every time she stumbled, he caught her.
He wasn't thinking.
He was protecting her instinctively.
They reached the library.
Daniel pulled a book from the shelf.
A hidden door opened.
Maya stared.
"You knew about this?"
Julian nodded.
"My father showed it to me once."
"Why didn't you remember?"
"Because I was seventeen."
They entered.
The door closed behind them.
Darkness.
A narrow staircase descended beneath the house.
Maya's breathing echoed.
After several steps, she whispered:
"Julian."
"What?"
"Are you afraid?"
He looked at her.
"No."
She shook her head.
"You're lying."
He stopped.
"What?"
"Your hands."
He looked down.
They were shaking again.
He clenched them.
"I'm fine."
"You aren't."
Julian stared at her.
Then finally said:
"I don't know how to be fine when you're in danger."
Maya's eyes softened.
"You shouldn't have to protect me."
"I know."
"Then why do you?"
He looked at her.
"Because I love you."
The words slipped out.
Silence.
Julian stopped breathing.
Maya stared at him.
Daniel turned away.
Derek suddenly became extremely interested in the tunnel wall.
Julian looked almost angry with himself.
Maya whispered:
"You love me?"
He didn't take it back.
"Yes."
She stepped closer.
"Since when?"
"I don't know."
"That's not an answer."
He smiled faintly.
"Then since the first time you fell asleep on the kitchen floor because you were too tired to finish cleaning."
Maya's eyes filled.
"You saw that?"
"I see everything you do."
She laughed through her tears.
"That's creepy."
"I know."
She wiped her cheek.
"I think..."
She hesitated.
"I think I love you too."
Julian's expression changed.
For one moment, the mafia boss disappeared.
There was only a man standing in a dark tunnel, looking at the woman he thought he had almost lost.
He touched her cheek.
Then kissed her forehead.
Not her lips.
Not yet.
"After tonight," he whispered.
Maya nodded.
"After tonight."
Daniel cleared his throat.
"We should probably survive first."
Julian looked at him.
"Agreed."
The tunnel opened into an underground chamber.
It was enormous.
Steel shelves lined the walls.
Boxes filled the floor.
Old documents sat beneath layers of dust.
At the center stood a stone table.
And carved into it was the same symbol on Maya's necklace.
Three interlocking circles.
A crown above them.
Maya approached.
"What do I do?"
Daniel pointed.
"Place the necklace here."
She removed it.
Her fingers trembled.
She placed the pendant into the carved depression.
Nothing happened.
Maya frowned.
"Maybe it's broken."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
"Then what?"
"Blood."
She looked at him.
"What?"
"The lock requires blood."
Julian immediately stepped forward.
"No."
Daniel looked at him.
"It's the only way."
"I'll do it."
Maya shook her head.
"No."
She picked up a small knife from the table.
Julian caught her wrist.
"Maya."
"It's my blood."
"I won't let you."
She looked into his eyes.
"You don't get to decide everything for me."
He released her.
Maya made a tiny cut across her fingertip.
One drop of blood fell onto the pendant.
The mechanism clicked.
The stone table split open.
A hidden compartment appeared.
Inside was a metal box.
Julian lifted it.
The lid was sealed.
Maya touched the symbol.
The box opened.
Inside were dozens of photographs.
Documents.
USB drives.
Bank records.
And one handwritten journal.
Julian picked it up.
The first page carried a date.
October 17, 2014.
The night Daniel supposedly died.
He turned the page.
His father's handwriting.
Tonight, Daniel refused to kill Isabella Moretti's daughter.
Julian stopped.
Maya leaned closer.
He continued.
He chose her over the family.
Another page.
Rafael knows.
Another.
Isabella knows.
Another.
Julian does not know.
Then the next sentence:
If Daniel survives, Julian will eventually find the truth.
Julian's breathing became heavy.
"Why did he hide me?"
Daniel answered.
"Because Father knew you'd come after everyone responsible."
Julian looked at him.
"Would I have?"
Daniel smiled sadly.
"You were seventeen."
"I would have."
"Yes."
Julian turned another page.
Then stopped.
His father's final entry was only one sentence.
Maya Torres is the last living witness to what happened that night.
Maya's face went pale.
"What happened?"
Before anyone could answer, the underground door exploded.
Men rushed inside.
Gunfire erupted.
Julian grabbed Maya and pulled her behind the stone table.
Daniel returned fire.
Derek shouted:
"More coming!"
Julian looked at the archive.
Then at Maya.
"Take the box."
She stared.
"What?"
"Take the box."
"What about you?"
"I'll handle them."
"No."
"Maya."
"I'm not leaving you."
Julian's expression softened.
"Then stay behind me."
He stood.
The room erupted.
Julian moved with terrifying precision.
One man.
Then another.
Derek covered the entrance.
Daniel fired from behind a pillar.
Maya crawled toward the metal box.
Then she saw someone standing behind Julian.
A gun raised.
She screamed:
"JULIAN!"
He turned.
The shot fired.
Maya moved before she could think.
She threw herself into him.
The bullet struck the wall.
Julian grabbed her.
"Are you insane?"
"You were going to get shot!"
"I told you to stay behind me!"
"You were behind me!"
For one second they stared at each other.
Then Julian laughed.
A real laugh.
Short.
Breathless.
Almost disbelieving.
Maya smiled.
"You're laughing."
"I'm trying not to."
"Why?"
"Because apparently the woman I love is determined to kill herself protecting me."
She shook her head.
"Same problem."
Daniel shouted:
"Move!"
They ran.
They escaped through the tunnel.
Derek led them toward an underground garage.
An armored vehicle waited.
Julian pushed Maya inside.
Daniel followed.
Derek climbed behind the wheel.
The vehicle accelerated.
Behind them, the estate disappeared beneath smoke.
Maya held the metal box against her chest.
She looked at Julian.
"What now?"
Julian stared through the rear window.
"We find out who killed your father."
"And my mother."
"Yes."
"And who betrayed Daniel."
"Yes."
"And who is still trying to kill me."
Julian looked at her.
"Yes."
Maya swallowed.
"And then?"
He reached for her hand.
"Then we end it."
She squeezed his fingers.
"What if the person responsible is someone you love?"
Julian looked at her.
"Then I choose you."
Maya's eyes filled.
Daniel watched them from the opposite seat.
There was sadness in his expression.
Maya noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Daniel looked away.
"Nothing."
Julian studied him.
"You know something."
Daniel didn't answer.
"Daniel."
He finally looked at Julian.
"There is one thing I didn't tell you."
"What?"
"The night Isabella disappeared..."
Daniel paused.
"She wasn't alone."
Maya's heart stopped.
"Who was with her?"
Daniel looked at Maya.
"You."
Maya froze.
"What?"
"You were there."
Julian stared.
Daniel continued.
"You were five years old."
Maya shook her head.
"I don't remember."
"Your mother made sure you didn't."
"How?"
"She had a doctor erase the memory."
Maya's face went white.
"Why?"
"Because you saw everything."
"What did I see?"
Daniel looked at Julian.
"Your father's betrayal."
Julian's expression darkened.
"Tell me."
Daniel shook his head.
"Not yet."
Julian's voice sharpened.
"Why?"
"Because the person who ordered Isabella's death is still alive."
Maya whispered:
"Who?"
Daniel looked toward the road.
"We're almost there."
"Where?"
He finally answered.
"The old Moretti church."
Julian frowned.
"What is there?"
Daniel looked at Maya.
"The last person who knew the truth."
They arrived twenty minutes later.
The church stood abandoned beneath the snow.
No lights.
No cars.
No footprints.
Derek checked the building.
"Clear."
They entered.
The interior smelled of dust and old wood.
Maya walked slowly toward the altar.
Something about the place felt familiar.
She touched the wooden bench.
A memory flashed.
A little girl.
Crying.
A woman's voice.
Don't look back.
Maya staggered.
Julian caught her.
"What happened?"
"I remembered."
"What?"
She closed her eyes.
"I was here."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
She looked toward the altar.
"There was a man."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"He was holding something."
"What?"
"A gun."
Julian's face hardened.
"Did he shoot someone?"
Maya shook her head.
"No."
She pressed her fingers against her temple.
"He gave the gun to someone else."
"Who?"
Maya's eyes suddenly opened.
She stared at Julian.
"Your father."
Silence.
Julian went still.
Maya whispered:
"I remember."
"What?"
"Your father wasn't the shooter."
Julian frowned.
"Then what did he do?"
"He handed the gun..."
Her voice trembled.
"...to Daniel."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Julian stared at his brother.
"Daniel?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Julian stepped toward him.
"You held the gun?"
Daniel nodded.
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because your father ordered me to kill Isabella."
Maya covered her mouth.
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why?"
Daniel looked at her.
"Because your mother begged me."
He paused.
"And because she told me who your real father was."
Julian's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Daniel looked at Maya.
"Not Rafael Mendoza."
Maya's face went pale.
"What?"
Daniel's voice was barely a whisper.
"Rafael was the man everyone blamed."
"Then who was my father?"
Daniel looked at Julian.
And said:
"Your father knew the answer."
Before anyone could speak, a gunshot came from the church balcony.
Daniel collapsed.
Maya screamed.
Julian caught him.
Blood spread across Daniel's shirt.
"DANIEL!"
Derek raised his weapon.
"Sniper!"
Julian dragged Daniel behind the altar.
Maya knelt beside him.
"You're bleeding."
Daniel smiled weakly.
"Just a scratch."
"That's not a scratch."
Julian looked toward the balcony.
"Find him."
Derek ran.
Julian pressed his hand against Daniel's wound.
"Stay awake."
Daniel coughed.
"You need to listen."
"I'm listening."
"The person behind this..."
Daniel struggled to breathe.
"...isn't after the archive."
Julian leaned closer.
"Then what do they want?"
Daniel looked at Maya.
"They want her."
Maya froze.
"Why?"
Daniel's eyes closed.
"Because she is..."
He coughed.
"...the only person who can identify the man who really killed Isabella."
Julian looked at Maya.
Then Daniel whispered the final words:
"And that man is standing closer to her than she thinks."
His eyes closed.
Maya screamed his name.
Julian looked around the dark church.
Every shadow suddenly looked like an enemy.
Every person they trusted became a possibility.
And somewhere inside the church...
someone was still watching.
The hunt had changed.
May you like
They were no longer searching for Maya's killer.
They were searching for the man who had been hiding beside them all along.
