Chapter 11 - Derek’s Last Betrayal
Clara couldn't move.
Cassian took her hand.
“We'll find out what happened.”
Adrian arrived an hour later.
He looked devastated.
Clara confronted him.
“Who was my mother?”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Her name was Elena.”
“Then who was the woman who raised me?”
“Her sister.”
Clara felt tears fall.
“My mother died?”
“No.”
“Then where is she?”
Adrian looked toward Cassian.
“She disappeared because Viktor wanted her dead.”
Clara stared.
“She is alive?”
Adrian nodded.
“Somewhere.”
Cassian immediately began searching.
Before they could leave, Derek appeared.
His face was bruised.
He had escaped custody.
Clara stepped backward.
“How did you get here?”
Derek smiled.
“I know the Rossi security system better than you think.”
Cassian reached for his weapon.
Derek laughed.
“You can't kill me.”
“Why?”
“Because I know where Elena is.”
Clara froze.
“My mother?”
Derek nodded.
“Your real mother.”
“What do you want?”
“Freedom.”
Cassian looked at him.
“You don't have leverage.”
Derek smiled.
“I have the location.”
Clara stepped forward.
“Tell me.”
Derek shook his head.
“Not until Cassian gives me twenty million.”
Cassian laughed.
“You're insane.”
Derek looked at Clara.
“Then she never sees her mother.”
Clara turned to Cassian.
“Pay him.”
“No.”
“Cassian.”
“He'll kill her.”
Derek smiled.
“Smart man.”
Clara realized something.
“You're lying.”
Derek's smile faded.
“You don't know where she is.”
“I know enough.”
“You're bluffing.”
Derek looked at Cassian.
“He taught you well.”
Cassian stepped forward.
Derek suddenly pulled a knife.
But before he could reach Clara, Cassian's men stopped him.
Derek was forced to the floor.
Cassian crouched beside him.
“You made one mistake.”
“What?”
“You came into my home.”
Derek laughed.
“No.”
He looked at Clara.
“I came because Marco told me to.”
Cassian's expression changed.
“Where is Marco?”
Derek smiled.
“Already gone.”
Cassian stood.
“Find him.”
His men rushed out.
Derek whispered:
“He has Elena.”
Clara's knees weakened.
“Where?”
Derek looked at her.
“Under the old Rossi warehouse.”
Cassian grabbed his coat.
They left immediately.
The warehouse was empty.
Except for a single chair.
A photograph rested on it.
Clara picked it up.
It showed Elena.
Alive.
Older.
Standing beside Marco.
On the back was a message:
COME ALONE, CLARA.
Cassian took the photograph.
“No.”
Clara looked at him.
“I have to go.”
“You're not going.”
“She is my mother.”
“And you're my future wife.”
Clara stared.
Cassian held her hand.
“I will not lose you.”
Then a second message appeared on Clara's phone.
May you like
IF CASSIAN COMES, ELENA DIES.
And beneath it was a photograph of Elena with a gun pressed against her head...
