Chapter 9 - THE SHOT
The bullet had struck Dad in the shoulder.
He was alive.
Daniel dragged him behind the stone wall.
Security rushed toward the beach.
I held pressure against the wound.
Dad looked at me.
“Don't let Richard get the trust.”
“I won't.”
“He has someone inside.”
My blood ran cold.
“Who?”
Dad closed his eyes.
“I don't know.”
Then he whispered:
“Sarah.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“Richard recruited her.”
“No.”
Dad's eyes filled with regret.
“She thought she was helping Greg.”
I couldn't believe it.
Sarah had betrayed me again.
But this time, the betrayal was worse.
Because someone had given her access to my private security system.
I called her.
She answered immediately.
“Elena?”
“Where are you?”
Silence.
“Sarah.”
“I didn't mean for this to happen.”
My heart sank.
“Where are you?”
“I’m sorry.”
The line went dead.
Daniel tracked her phone.
“She is heading toward the dock.”
I ran.
Sarah was standing beside a speedboat.
She turned when she saw me.
“I didn't know he would hurt Dad.”
“You knew about Richard.”
“I knew about the trust.”
“You knew everything.”
She began crying.
“I was scared.”
“You were greedy.”
“I wanted a life.”
“So did I.”
She looked at me.
“I thought you had everything.”
I stared at her.
“I did.”
“You had the money.”
“I had responsibility.”
“You had freedom.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“I had a family that treated me like an ATM.”
Sarah covered her face.
Then she whispered:
“Richard has Mia.”
Everything inside me stopped.
“What?”
“He took her from the villa.”
I looked toward Daniel.
He was already calling security.
Sarah continued.
“He said if I didn't bring you here, he'd take her.”
I couldn't breathe.
“Where is my daughter?”
Sarah pointed toward the boat.
“He took her offshore.”
I grabbed her arm.
“Where?”
She began sobbing.
“I don't know.”
A phone rang.
Not mine.
Sarah's.
She answered.
Richard's voice came through.
“Elena.”
I took the phone.
“Where is my daughter?”
“You have until midnight.”
“What do you want?”
“Your signature.”
“You'll never get it.”
A child's voice came through the phone.
“Mommy?”
My knees nearly collapsed.
“Mia!”
Richard spoke again.
“Bring the trust documents.”
“And if I refuse?”
Silence.
Then:
“You'll never hear her voice again.”
The call ended.
I looked at Sarah.
For the first time, she wasn't my enemy.
She was my sister.
And she was terrified.
I turned to Daniel.
“Prepare the boat.”
Mark grabbed my arm.
“Don't go alone.”
“I won't.”
May you like
I looked toward the dark horizon.
“I’m bringing my daughter home.”
