Chapter 6 - The Truth Gemma Was Hiding
The gunshot shattered the silence.
Gemma screamed.
Mateo pushed both of us behind the desk.
“Stay down.”
Another shot.
Glass broke somewhere downstairs.
Mateo moved toward the door.
I grabbed his sleeve.
“Don't.”
He looked at me.
“I need to know who is shooting.”
“No.”
His expression softened.
“Maeve.”
“You're not dying because of me.”
Something flickered in his eyes.
Then he disappeared into the hallway.
We waited.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Nothing.
Gemma was trembling beside me.
“Maeve.”
“What?”
“I need to tell you.”
I looked at her.
“Then tell me.”
She wiped her tears.
“I knew your father.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“Not well.”
“Don't lie.”
She looked down.
“My mother worked for him.”
I stared.
“She was his accountant.”
“And?”
“She discovered the hidden account.”
I slowly stood.
“You knew about the money?”
“I knew there was money.”
“Did Brandon know?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because I told him.”
My chest tightened.
“You betrayed me.”
“I was scared.”
“You could have told me.”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
I shook my head.
“You told me Brandon loved me.”
“I was trying to keep him calm.”
“Why?”
Gemma started crying.
“Because he threatened my baby.”
The room became silent.
Then footsteps approached.
Mateo entered.
His coat was torn.
There was blood on his sleeve.
I rushed toward him.
“Are you hurt?”
“Not mine.”
He looked at Gemma.
“Who was downstairs?”
“A man.”
“Who?”
“He said he worked for Brandon.”
Mateo's expression hardened.
“He was carrying a Duca weapon.”
“What does that mean?”
“Someone inside my organization is helping Brandon.”
I felt numb.
“Who?”
“I don't know yet.”
Gemma looked at the laptop.
“There's another file.”
Mateo turned.
“What file?”
She pointed.
R-17.
Mateo froze.
“What?”
He stared at the screen.
“Open it.”
I clicked.
A video began.
My father's face appeared.
Older.
Tired.
Terrified.
“Maeve,” he said.
I covered my mouth.
“If you're watching this, I failed to protect you.”
My tears fell.
He continued.
“Brandon Hayes isn't the first person to come after the account.”
He looked away.
“There is someone else.”
A pause.
“The person controlling M.R. Holdings isn't Victor Hayes.”
Mateo leaned closer.
“Who is it?”
My father's voice lowered.
“It's someone you already trust.”
The screen flickered.
Then his final sentence appeared.
“Do not let Mateo Duca take you to the wedding.”
The video ended.
I turned toward Mateo.
He didn't move.
“Why would my father say that?”
“I don't know.”
“You expect me to believe you?”
“No.”
His honesty stunned me.
Then he stepped closer.
“But I will find out.”
The laptop suddenly displayed one new message.
YOU HAVE UNTIL 9:00 A.M.
Beneath it:
BRING MAEVE TO THE CATHEDRAL. COME ALONE.
Mateo stared at the screen.
Then the final line appeared.
May you like
OR GEMMA DIES.
And somewhere outside the office, a car door slammed...
