The black car disappeared into the night.
Damien’s eyes remained fixed on the road.
“Luca, follow it.”
The engine roared to life.
Elena climbed into the car beside Damien, her heart pounding.
She could feel the tension in the air.
“Do you think that’s Marco?” she asked.
Damien stared through the windshield.
“I don’t know.”
“Then who do you think it is?”
“Someone who wants us to follow.”
Elena frowned.
“You think it’s a trap?”
“I know it is.”
“Then why are we following?”
Damien finally looked at her.
“Because sometimes the only way to catch a predator is to let it think you’re walking into its trap.”
The car sped through the dark streets.
For nearly twenty minutes, they followed the black vehicle.
Then it suddenly turned onto an abandoned road.
Luca slowed down.
“Boss, we’re entering the old industrial district.”
Damien’s expression hardened.
“Keep going.”
The black car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.
Its doors opened.
But no one stepped out.
Luca parked behind it.
Damien stepped out with his weapon drawn.
“Elena, stay inside.”
She shook her head.
“I’m coming.”
“Elena.”
“You said I should stay beside you.”
Damien stared at her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
“Stay close.”
They approached the warehouse.
The massive doors slowly opened by themselves.
Inside was complete darkness.
Luca looked at Damien.
“This is definitely a trap.”
“I know.”
They entered.
The doors suddenly slammed shut behind them.
Elena jumped.
A light flickered on.
A table stood in the middle of the warehouse.
On it was a single envelope.
Damien walked toward it.
Luca raised his weapon.
“Careful.”
Damien opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
His eyes narrowed.
It was a picture of Marco.
Alive.
Standing beside Isabella.
But there was something else.
A second person stood behind them.
Damien stared at the photograph.
Elena noticed his expression.
“Who is that?”
Damien didn’t answer.
Luca stepped closer.
“Boss?”
Damien turned the photograph over.
There were three words written on the back.
ASK YOUR FATHER.
Elena looked at him.
“Your father?”
Damien’s face became pale.
“My father died five years ago.”
Suddenly, the warehouse lights came on.
A voice echoed through the speakers.
“You’ve always been too late, Damien.”
Damien raised his gun.
“Marco!”
A laugh echoed through the building.
“No.”
The voice became colder.
“You still don’t understand.”
A large screen dropped from the ceiling.
A video began playing.
Elena stared in shock.
Damien didn’t move.
His father looked directly into the camera.
“If you’re watching this, Damien, then the truth has finally caught up with you.”
The video continued.
“Your brother didn’t betray this family.”
Damien’s breathing stopped.
“He was protecting it.”
The screen went black.
Elena looked at Damien.
“Protecting it from what?”
Before he could answer, explosions shook the warehouse.
BOOM!
Elena screamed.
Dust filled the air.
Damien grabbed her and pulled her against him.
“Everyone down!”
Another explosion rocked the building.
Luca shouted.
“The exits are blocked!”
Damien looked around.
They were trapped.
Then a figure appeared on the upper balcony.
Isabella.
She looked down at them.
“You wanted the truth.”
Damien raised his weapon.
“Come down here and tell me.”
She smiled.
“I will.”
Then another figure stepped beside her.
Elena’s eyes widened.
Damien froze.
It was Marco.
Alive.
Standing only a few meters away.
Marco looked directly at his brother.
“Hello, Damien.”
Damien couldn’t speak.
Marco smiled sadly.
“You’re finally ready to hear the truth.”
TO BE CONTINUED…