Chapter 17 - THE RIVER TERMINAL|
The old river terminal had been abandoned for years.
Its loading platforms stretched into the darkness, and the warehouse windows reflected the water like broken mirrors. Rain fell steadily, turning the concrete slick and silver.
Adrian arrived alone, carrying a black case.
Inside were copies of the ledger, the original recording, and a ring-shaped replica made by the forensic team. The real ring remained with Elena—or so Vincent believed.
Adrian had removed the original from her hand only once, when the specialist needed to examine its engraving. He had returned it immediately.
He would not risk losing the one object that connected their stories.
Vincent waited beneath a hanging work light.
“Where is the ring?”
Adrian placed the case on the table.
“First, Elena.”
Vincent gestured toward the far end of the warehouse.
A guard appeared, but Elena was not with him.
Adrian's expression hardened.
“You promised she was alive.”
“She is.”
“Then bring her here.”
Vincent opened the case and examined the documents.
“You've made copies.”
“Of course.”
“You always were your father's son.”
“And you were always afraid of him.”
Vincent's eyes flashed.
“Your father was weak. He believed a criminal organization could become respectable through good intentions and careful accounting. He forgot that every empire has a foundation.”
“Blood?”
“Fear.”
Adrian looked around the terminal.
“You've spent your entire life making people afraid of you. And now you have nothing but frightened men.”
Vincent closed the case.
“You think the council has abandoned me? They will come crawling back when they realize how much money you've cost them.”
“Maybe. But they won't get the chance to hide behind you.”
Vincent signaled to the guards.
Three men emerged from the shadows.
Adrian raised his hands.
“Before you do anything, listen to this.”
He pressed a button on his phone.
The restored recording filled the warehouse.
Vincent's voice echoed through the terminal, admitting his role in the attack and discussing the altered medical records.
The guards exchanged uncertain looks.
Vincent lunged for the phone, but Adrian stepped away.
“You made a mistake,” Adrian said. “You believed everyone who worked for you was loyal.”
Vincent pulled a gun.
“Stop talking.”
Adrian remained still.
“Your men have families. They know what happens when the person paying them gets arrested. They know the evidence is already with investigators.”
One guard slowly lowered his weapon.
Vincent turned on him.
“You ungrateful coward!”
The guard stepped back.
At that moment, a side door slammed open.
Elena ran into the warehouse, her wrists red and bruised.
“Adrian!”
He turned.
For one second, relief overwhelmed everything else.
Then Vincent raised his gun toward her.
Adrian moved before he thought.
A shot cracked through the terminal.
Elena screamed.
Adrian stumbled, clutching his side, but he remained standing.
Dominic and several officers rushed through the entrance behind Elena. Blue lights flashed through the broken windows as armed figures shouted commands.
Vincent tried to run.
He made it three steps before Dominic tackled him to the ground.
Adrian sank to one knee.
Elena reached him, pressing both hands against the wound.
“Look at me,” she ordered. “Stay with me.”
He struggled to focus on her face.
“I remember,” he whispered.
“Remember what?”
“The clinic. The rain. Your terrible coffee.”
She laughed through tears.
“You can complain about my coffee later.”
His fingers closed around hers.
“I came back.”
Elena leaned closer.
“Yes,” she whispered. “You did.”
May you like
And for the first time in ten years, the promise between them was no longer a memory.
It was happening now.
