Chapter 10 - Natalie Walked Into the Lion's Den
Daniel had been Gabriel's financial operative.
Enzo had been his insider.
The conspiracy was finally visible.
Gabriel wanted the vault evidence destroyed.
Daniel wanted revenge after Natalie unknowingly ruined years of surveillance by ending their relationship.
Enzo wanted Luca's empire.
They demanded the evidence.
Natalie proposed a trap.
Luca hated it.
Therefore, Natalie knew it was good.
She would deliver a fake drive.
Samuel would enter from the harbor.
Police would wait outside Gabriel's security perimeter.
Luca would stay behind.
That was the argument.
"I'm going."
"No."
"You are the most recognizable man involved."
"And you're the target."
"Exactly. They'll expect me."
Luca looked furious.
Natalie touched his face.
"Trust me."
That was the word that defeated him.
Trust.
He nodded.
Natalie entered Bellini Harbor alone.
Daniel met her.
"You look beautiful."
"You still look disappointing."
His smile vanished.
He took the drive.
Then brought her to David.
Natalie hugged her father.
Daniel locked them together.
Gabriel appeared.
Older than Natalie expected.
Elegant.
Almost grandfatherly.
That frightened her.
He explained that people misunderstood power.
Power wasn't money.
It was knowing what someone loved enough to threaten it.
Natalie smiled.
"Then you never understood Luca."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
Outside, an alarm sounded.
Samuel had arrived.
Daniel checked the drive.
Fake.
Gabriel struck Natalie.
David lunged at him.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Natalie freed David using a blade hidden inside her bracelet.
They ran.
Daniel followed.
At the dock, he caught Natalie.
He pointed a gun at her.
"You should've married me."
Natalie stared at him.
"That would've been worse than dying."
Daniel's finger tightened.
A shot rang out.
Daniel fell.
Luca stood behind him.
Natalie stared.
"You were supposed to stay behind."
"I lied."
She ran to him.
But Gabriel escaped again.
This time with Enzo.
And they took Samuel.
Elena received the call.
Gabriel demanded the original Sofia statement.
Or Samuel would die.
Luca had one copy.
It was stored in his private safe.
He opened it.
Empty.
Someone had already taken the statement.
Only one person had entered his office that morning.
Marco.
Luca slowly looked up.
Marco was gone.
May you like
Then his phone displayed a message from his oldest friend.
DON'T COME AFTER ME.
