Chapter 14 - THE LAST THING MARCUS STOLE
“Daddy!”
Lucy screamed from the garden.
Marcus dragged her toward an SUV parked beyond the hedge.
Raffaele ran down the stairs so fast he nearly fell.
Dante shouted into his radio.
“North garden! Close the gate!”
The iron gate began sliding shut.
Marcus saw it.
He pulled a handgun from his jacket.
Celeste screamed.
“Marcus, no!”
He fired at the gate control.
Sparks exploded.
The gate stopped.
Raffaele slowed.
Marcus pressed the gun near Lucy’s shoulder.
“Stay back!”
Raffaele stopped immediately.
Lucy was sobbing.
“Daddy.”
“I’m here.”
“Tell him to put the gun down,” Marcus said.
Raffaele’s hands were empty.
“No one’s holding a gun.”
“Your guards.”
Raffaele looked around.
“Everyone lower your weapons.”
Dante hesitated.
“Do it.”
The guards obeyed.
Marcus moved backward toward the SUV.
Celeste came through the doors.
“Marcus.”
He looked at her.
“Stay there.”
“Take me.”
Raffaele turned sharply.
Celeste kept walking.
“You wanted me before.”
Marcus laughed.
“I wanted your access.”
“I can still give you access.”
“Stop.”
“I know accounts Raffaele doesn’t know.”
Raffaele understood what she was doing.
So did Dante.
Celeste moved closer.
“Let Lucy go.”
Marcus shook his head.
“She’s insurance.”
“She’s seven.”
“Not my problem.”
Celeste’s face changed.
Something inside her finally broke.
For years, she had excused him.
Loved him.
Protected him.
Betrayed her brother for him.
And now he was holding a gun beside a child she had helped raise.
Celeste stepped forward.
Marcus shouted, “I said stop!”
“Lucy.”
The girl looked at her.
Celeste’s voice softened.
“When I say now, run to your dad.”
Marcus frowned.
“What?”
Celeste lunged.
She grabbed his gun arm with both hands.
“NOW!”
Lucy dropped.
Raffaele ran.
The gun fired.
Celeste jerked.
Marcus shoved her away.
Lucy crawled across the grass.
Raffaele reached her and pulled her against his chest.
Dante tackled Marcus.
The gun flew.
Two guards pinned him facedown.
Raffaele checked Lucy.
“You okay?”
She nodded wildly.
“Aunt Celeste!”
Raffaele turned.
Celeste lay on the grass.
Blood spread across her side.
He handed Lucy to Salvatore and rushed over.
Celeste looked up at him.
“Did she get away?”
“Yes.”
A weak smile.
“Good.”
“Don’t move.”
Raffaele pressed his hand against the wound.
“You’re not dying.”
Celeste laughed weakly.
“You always were bossy.”
“Stay awake.”
Her eyes filled.
“Raff.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
He said nothing.
“I know sorry doesn’t fix Sofia.”
“No.”
“I know.”
She cried.
“I hated her because you loved her more than me.”
Raffaele stared at her.
“I was your sister first.”
“And you still are.”
Celeste blinked.
“But Sofia was my wife.”
“I know that now.”
Sirens sounded beyond the estate gates.
Celeste whispered, “Don’t protect me.”
Raffaele frowned.
“From what?”
“The police.”
She gripped his wrist.
“Tell them everything.”
He stared at her.
“You could go to prison.”
“I should.”
Behind them, Marcus screamed while officers dragged him upright.
“This is all her fault!”
Celeste looked toward him.
For the first time in twenty years, she didn’t look heartbroken.
She looked free.
Raffaele squeezed her hand.
Then police officers approached.
May you like
He stood.
And he told them the truth.
