Chapter 8 - THE MAN VICTOR TRUSTED
Victor didn’t speak during the drive home.
That frightened Tessa.
Angry Victor was dangerous.
Silent Victor was worse.
Paulie had been beside him since he was sixteen.
He had fought with Victor’s father.
Protected Victor after his father died.
Built half the security around the estate.
If Paulie was the traitor, Victor hadn’t merely missed an enemy.
He had loved one.
When they entered the estate, Paulie was waiting in the foyer.
“What happened?”
Victor walked directly toward him.
“Where’s Liam?”
“He escaped.”
“How?”
“Hit Mason with a lamp.”
Victor stopped inches away.
“Show me the footage.”
Paulie’s eyes flickered.
There.
Tiny.
Almost nothing.
Victor saw it.
“So did I,” Tessa said.
Paulie looked at her.
Victor’s voice became ice.
“Security room. Now.”
The footage showed Liam leaving his room.
No guard.
No struggle.
No broken lamp.
Paulie stood behind Victor.
“You can explain that?” Victor asked.
“The camera was altered.”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know.”
Victor turned.
Paulie reached for his gun.
Victor was faster.
The room exploded into motion.
Victor slammed Paulie against the console.
Nico drew his weapon.
Tessa backed away.
Paulie raised both hands.
“Listen to me.”
“I’ve been listening to you for twenty years.”
“I didn’t betray you.”
“You lied about Liam.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I let him go.”
Victor’s fist struck Paulie’s jaw.
Paulie staggered.
Tessa flinched.
“Why?”
“Because he had the key!”
Victor grabbed him again.
“For who?”
“For you!”
Silence.
Paulie wiped blood from his mouth.
“Your father told me about the ledger before he died.”
Victor froze.
“He said if it ever resurfaced, it would destroy everything.”
“What’s in it?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“I swear.”
Paulie looked toward Tessa.
“Her mother copied records your father kept. Payments, police, judges, politicians. But there was something else.”
“What?”
“Names of people your father had killed.”
Tessa’s chest tightened.
Paulie continued.
“Your father ordered me to find the ledger and burn it.”
“And Tessa’s mother?”
Paulie looked down.
Tessa knew before he spoke.
“No.”
Paulie’s silence was enough.
She stepped toward him.
“Were you there?”
“Tessa—”
“Were you there when my mother died?”
Paulie closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
She slapped him.
Then again.
Victor caught her before the third.
“Let me go!”
“Tessa.”
“LET ME GO!”
Paulie didn’t defend himself.
Tears stood in his eyes.
“Your mother wasn’t supposed to die.”
Tessa went still.
“That’s what cowards say after they kill someone.”
“I didn’t kill her.”
“Then who did?”
Paulie looked at Victor.
“Your father.”
Victor’s face became stone.
Paulie continued.
“I was driving the second car. Your father forced hers off the road.”
Tessa stared at Victor.
He had done nothing.
He hadn’t even known.
But the name Romano suddenly felt like blood between them.
She stepped away from him.
Victor felt it.
“Tessa.”
“Don’t.”
Paulie reached into his coat.
Nico raised his gun.
“Slow.”
Paulie removed a folded piece of paper.
“Liam gave me this before he left.”
Victor unfolded it.
An address.
And four words.
COME ALONE OR SHE DIES.
Tessa frowned.
“Who dies?”
Victor looked at Paulie.
May you like
Paulie’s face went pale.
“My daughter.”
