Chapter 7 - A Traitor Inside Hawthorne Ridge
Luciano went alone.
At least Adrian believed he did.
Daniel followed through the servants’ passages while Vittorio remained upstairs.
Luciano entered the cellar.
Carlo lifted his head.
“Don't.”
Adrian smiled.
“Family reunion.”
Luciano looked at Carlo.
“Did you block Kate’s calls?”
Carlo closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
The admission hurt more than Luciano expected.
“Why?”
“Because I thought she was destroying you.”
“You thought?”
“Adrian showed me documents. He convinced me Kate was working with the Hawthornes to challenge the trust.”
Kate.
Always Kate.
The easiest way to manipulate Luciano’s family had been to make them suspicious of the outsider he loved.
“You never asked me.”
“You weren't listening to anyone.”
“So you decided my marriage for me?”
Carlo looked ashamed.
“I didn't know she was pregnant.”
Adrian laughed.
“None of you knew anything.”
Luciano turned toward him.
“You impersonated a doctor.”
“I became one.”
“What?”
“Medical school. Residency. Everything.”
“Just to reach Katherine?”
“No. I planned for years.”
Adrian’s resentment wasn't wild.
That made him more dangerous.
“I grew up knowing Vittorio Aruri was my father while watching newspapers photograph his perfect sons. You received his name. His homes. His protection.”
“You want his name?”
Luciano spread his hands.
“Take it.”
Adrian’s smile faded.
“The companies?”
“Take them.”
Carlo stared.
“Luciano—”
“Everything.”
Adrian studied him.
“All I want is Kate and my daughter alive.”
“Your daughter changes the trust.”
“Then burn the trust.”
“You don't mean that.”
“I do.”
Adrian’s expression cracked.
His entire plan depended on Luciano valuing power.
“You’d surrender the Aruri empire?”
“For my family.”
“I am your family!”
The shout echoed through the cellar.
Luciano looked at him.
“You could have been.”
Adrian flinched.
“If you'd walked through my door and told me the truth, you could have been my brother. Instead you terrorized my wife.”
“Because she had what my mother never had.”
“What?”
“Recognition.”
Luciano understood.
This wasn't about money.
It was about humiliation inherited across generations.
But understanding wasn't forgiveness.
“Let Carlo go.”
“No.”
“Then take me.”
Adrian smiled.
“That was always the plan.”
He raised the gun.
Daniel emerged behind him.
“Drop it.”
Adrian spun.
The gun fired.
Carlo shouted.
Luciano tackled Adrian.
They hit the stone floor.
The weapon slid away.
Adrian struck Luciano across the jaw.
Luciano drove him against a wine rack.
Bottles shattered.
Daniel moved in.
Then Adrian pulled a second gun.
Carlo kicked the chair forward.
The shot went wide.
Luciano seized Adrian’s wrist.
A brutal struggle ended with the gun on the floor.
Daniel cuffed Adrian.
Luciano turned to Carlo.
“Are you hit?”
“No.”
Luciano cut him free.
Carlo stood unsteadily.
“I’m sorry.”
Luciano looked at him.
“Later.”
A scream echoed faintly from upstairs.
Kate.
Luciano ran.
He reached the bedroom breathless.
Margaret met him.
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
“Katherine’s blood pressure is falling.”
Luciano went to the bed.
Kate was pale.
“Luciano.”
“I’m here.”
“I need you to promise me something.”
“No.”
“You don't know what I’m asking.”
“I know I don't like promises made in rooms where people are bleeding.”
She almost smiled.
“If something happens—”
“Nothing happens.”
“Luciano.”
“No.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Our daughter comes first.”
His face tightened.
“Both of you.”
“If you have to choose—”
“No.”
“You have to.”
“I refuse.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Margaret interrupted.
“We may need to deliver.”
“Do it.”
“We need neonatal support.”
Luciano looked toward the window.
Vittorio’s helicopter.
“Can that aircraft fly?”
Daniel nodded. “Weather is improving.”
“Then bring the nearest neonatal team here.”
“I’ll make the call.”
Adrian laughed from the doorway where a guard held him.
Everyone turned.
“You still think this is about getting out?”
Luciano stepped toward him.
“What did you do?”
Adrian smiled.
“The medication Katherine has been taking wasn't meant to kill the baby.”
Margaret went still.
“What was it meant to do?”
“To trigger exactly this.”
Kate stared.
Adrian looked at Luciano.
“Premature labor.”
“Why?”
“Because I needed the child born before midnight.”
Luciano frowned.
“What happens at midnight?”
Adrian’s smile widened.
“The trust becomes irrevocable.”
Vittorio whispered, “No.”
Luciano turned.
His father was staring at the clock.
“What?”
Vittorio’s face had gone gray.
“At midnight, whichever Aruri heir is legally recorded first becomes controlling beneficiary.”
Luciano looked at Kate.
Then Adrian.
May you like
And Adrian said quietly:
“You still haven't figured out whose name is already on the birth certificate.”
