Rain poured over the city as Damien’s car stopped outside the abandoned chapel.
He stepped out alone.
The chapel had been abandoned for years, but tonight a single light burned inside.
Damien stared at the entrance.
“I’m here.”
His voice echoed through the darkness.
Nothing.
Then his phone vibrated.
COME INSIDE.
Damien entered.
The wooden doors slammed shut behind him.
He immediately reached for his gun.
“Elena!”
A woman’s voice came from somewhere inside.
“Damien…”
His heart stopped.
“Elena?”
He moved deeper into the chapel.
At the front, Elena sat tied to a wooden chair.
Her eyes widened when she saw him.
“Damien!”
He rushed toward her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
He quickly untied her hands.
Elena stood and threw her arms around him.
For a moment, Damien simply held her.
“I thought I’d lost you.”
“You came for me.”
“I always will.”
A slow clap echoed through the chapel.
They turned.
Isabella stepped out from behind the altar.
Damien immediately moved in front of Elena.
“You.”
Isabella smiled.
“You came exactly as I knew you would.”
“Where are your men?”
“Gone.”
Damien narrowed his eyes.
“Then why bring me here?”
“Because I wanted you to see something.”
She pointed toward the altar.
A large envelope sat there.
Damien approached cautiously and opened it.
His father.
Marco.
Isabella.
And another man.
Damien stared at the final photograph.
His face changed.
Elena looked at him.
“Who is that?”
Damien didn’t answer.
Isabella did.
“Your father’s closest friend.”
Damien’s eyes narrowed.
“Antonio.”
Isabella nodded.
“He wasn’t just your father’s friend.”
She stepped closer.
“He was the man who controlled everything from behind the scenes.”
Damien looked through the photographs.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“Because Marco was never the traitor.”
Damien froze.
“What?”
Isabella looked directly at him.
“Three years ago, Marco discovered Antonio was selling information to your enemies.”
Elena’s eyes widened.
“So Marco disappeared to investigate him?”
“Yes.”
Damien’s mind raced.
“Then why did you lie about his death?”
Isabella’s expression softened.
“Because Antonio was watching everyone.”
She lowered her voice.
“If he knew Marco was alive, he would have killed him.”
Damien looked at Elena.
Then back at Isabella.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t know if I could trust you.”
Damien’s expression hardened.
“You kidnapped my wife.”
“I needed you to stop trusting everyone around you.”
Suddenly, a gunshot exploded through the chapel window.
BANG!
The glass shattered.
Damien immediately pulled Elena to the floor.
“Get down!”
Isabella ducked behind the altar.
Damien looked toward the broken window.
“Sniper.”
Elena grabbed his arm.
“Who is shooting at us?”
Damien’s eyes narrowed.
Then he heard footsteps outside.
Several vehicles were approaching.
Isabella looked at him.
“Antonio.”
Damien stood.
“How many?”
“Enough to kill everyone in this chapel.”
The chapel doors suddenly burst open.
Armed men stormed inside.
Damien raised his weapon.
“Stay behind me, Elena!”
The room erupted into chaos.
Gunshots filled the chapel.
Isabella fired from behind the altar.
Damien moved Elena toward the side exit.
“Go!”
“What about you?”
“I’ll follow.”
Elena hesitated.
Damien looked into her eyes.
“Trust me.”
She nodded and ran.
Then a familiar voice echoed through the chapel.
“Damien!”
He turned.
Marco stood in the doorway.
“It’s time to finish this.”
Damien looked at him.
“Where is Antonio?”
Marco pointed toward the back entrance.
“He’s waiting for us.”
Damien’s expression became cold.
“Then let’s end this.”
But neither brother noticed the man standing behind them.
He raised his weapon.
And aimed directly at Damien.
TO BE CONTINUED…