Chapter 10 - Pier 17

Diego did not go alone.

He simply made Rafael believe he had.

Police remained several blocks away.

A tracking device was hidden inside the document case.

Diego entered the abandoned warehouse at Pier 17.

Valentina sat on one side.

Lucia sat on the other.

Neither was injured.

Between them stood an older man.

Rafael Serrano.

Alive.

“You look disappointed.”

Diego set down the case.

“I’m looking at a dead man.”

Rafael smiled.

“Death is extremely useful when people stop asking questions.”

“Let them go.”

“When I have the trust.”

“You already destroyed the original.”

“No.”

Rafael shook his head.

“I destroyed copies.”

“The original is in that case.”

Diego said nothing.

Rafael looked pleased.

“Your father thought bloodlines protected dynasties.”

“He never understood paperwork protects them better.”

Valentina looked at Diego.

“Dad?”

It was the first time she had called him that.

Diego’s chest tightened.

“I’m here.”

Rafael turned toward her.

“Touching.”

Lucia glared at him.

“You burned Elena’s house.”

Rafael smiled.

“I should have dealt with Elena nine years ago.”

Diego took one step forward.

Rafael’s hand moved beneath his jacket.

Diego stopped.

“You want the papers?”

“Yes.”

“Take them.”

He pushed the case forward.

Rafael bent down.

That was the signal.

Police lights exploded through the warehouse windows.

Rafael grabbed Lucia.

Diego ran.

Valentina ducked behind a crate.

Rafael dragged Lucia toward a rear door.

Lucia bit his hand.

He released her.

Diego reached them.

Rafael swung a metal bar.

Diego blocked it with his forearm.

They crashed against a stack of pallets.

Police entered from both sides.

Rafael tried to escape.

He made it ten feet.

Then three officers took him down.

Lucia ran to Valentina.

Diego dropped to his knees and pulled both girls into his arms.

For one moment, there were no trusts.

No fortunes.

No secrets.

Just a father holding the daughters he had lost before he ever knew they existed.

Then one detective opened the case.

He looked at Diego.

“These aren’t the original trust documents.”

Diego smiled.

“No.”

“Where are they?”

“Somewhere Rafael could never burn them.”

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