Chapter 8 - BLOOD FAMILY
Victor’s men surrounded the tunnel exit.
There were too many.
Ronan slowly lowered his gun.
Marcus did the same.
Ivy held the metal box against her chest.
Victor Blackwood stepped from the shadows in a perfectly tailored gray suit.
He looked like somebody’s favorite uncle.
That made him worse.
“Good evening,” he said.
Ronan stared at him.
“You brought armed men into my home.”
Victor smiled.
“Our home.”
“You lost the right to call it that.”
“Did I?”
His eyes moved to Ivy.
“You look like Daniel.”
Ivy felt anger burn through her fear.
“You knew my father.”
“Very well.”
“You got him killed.”
Victor sighed.
“Everybody says such dramatic things when they’re upset.”
Ronan stepped forward.
“Stay away from her.”
Victor’s smile widened.
“Oh.”
One word.
That was all.
But Ivy saw Ronan’s jaw tighten.
Victor saw it too.
“Interesting.”
Ronan’s voice dropped.
“What do you want?”
“The box.”
“No.”
Victor nodded toward Emily.
One of his men grabbed her.
Emily screamed.
Ivy lunged forward.
Ronan caught her.
Victor held up a hand.
“Nothing happens to the girl if everyone behaves.”
Ivy looked at Ronan.
“Give him the box.”
“No.”
“He’ll hurt her.”
“He’ll hurt her either way if we give him what he wants.”
Victor laughed.
“Your father would be proud.”
Ronan’s eyes turned dark.
“Don’t talk about him.”
“Why? You still worship Michael?”
“I buried Michael.”
“Yes. But you never understood him.”
Victor looked at Ivy.
“Your father did.”
Ivy swallowed.
“What happened twelve years ago?”
Victor smiled.
“Daniel discovered the Crown List.”
“And?”
“He planned to expose us.”
Ronan frowned.
“That wasn’t what my father said.”
“Michael knew.”
The tunnel went silent.
Victor continued.
“Michael ordered Daniel killed.”
Ivy felt the words like a knife.
Ronan stared at his uncle.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?”
Victor reached into his coat slowly and removed a folded document.
A signed order.
Michael Blackwood’s signature sat at the bottom.
Ronan took it.
Read it.
His face changed.
Ivy watched something inside him break.
Victor’s voice softened.
“Your father murdered hers.”
Ronan looked at Ivy.
She saw shame in his eyes.
Victor smiled.
“And you spent twelve years protecting the empire built on Daniel Lancaster’s blood.”
Ivy could barely breathe.
Ronan whispered, “I didn’t know.”
She believed him.
That was the worst part.
Victor pointed toward the box.
“Give it to me.”
Ivy stepped forward.
“No.”
Victor sighed.
A gun pressed against Emily’s head.
Emily sobbed.
Ivy’s hands shook.
Then she opened the box.
Victor smiled.
“Smart woman.”
Ivy pulled out the cassette.
Then snapped it in half.
Victor’s smile vanished.
Everyone froze.
Ivy stared directly at him.
“You want my father’s secrets?”
She dropped the broken tape.
“Come get them.”
Victor raised his gun.
May you like
Ronan moved.
The tunnel exploded into chaos.
