Chapter 8 - The Betrayal That Started Everything
Marco had been with Dante for fifteen years.
He knew everything.
Every business.
Every safe house.
Every weakness.
When Dante confronted him, Marco didn't deny it.
“I told Emma to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because you were going to die.”
Dante stared.
Marco explained that Victor had threatened his family.
If Marco didn't separate Emma from Dante, Victor would kill Marco's wife and son.
“I thought distance would keep her alive.”
“You lied.”
“Yes.”
“You made me believe she abandoned me.”
“I had no choice.”
Dante stepped closer.
“You always had a choice.”
Marco's eyes filled with regret.
Then he revealed the worst part.
Victor had never ordered Emma killed.
He wanted her protected.
Because Victor knew Sophia was Dante's daughter.
The real objective was Dante.
Sophia was leverage.
Emma was bait.
And Marco had unknowingly helped create the perfect trap.
But there was one thing Marco had never told Victor.
He had kept Emma's location secret.
He had protected her from a distance for three years.
Dante realized Marco had betrayed him and protected him at the same time.
That made everything harder.
Then Marco handed Dante a file.
“Victor is meeting someone tonight.”
“Who?”
Marco hesitated.
“Derek.”
Emma looked at Derek.
He was already gone.
They found his phone abandoned in the parking garage.
On the screen was one message.
Bring Sophia's mother. Come alone.
Emma's blood ran cold.
Dante looked at her.
“No.”
“I have to go.”
“No.”
“They have Derek.”
“They want you.”
Emma held his gaze.
“They've wanted me for three years.”
She stepped closer.
“This time, they don't get to decide what happens.”
Dante stared at her.
May you like
Then he nodded.
“Then we go together.”
