Chapter 7 - THE ENEMY WHO WASN’T
Peter Vale disappeared before Gabriel’s men reached the mansion.
His room was empty.
His passport gone.
Laptop destroyed.
Claire stared at the burned remains in the fireplace.
“He knew we found the files.”
“Or Vincent warned him.”
Gabriel picked up a photograph from Peter’s desk.
Peter stood beside Nathan at a charity event.
Smiling.
Trusted.
Family, almost.
Gabriel’s voice was low.
“I put him near Eli.”
Claire touched his arm.
“You didn’t know.”
“I should have.”
“You can’t predict every betrayal.”
“In my world, that’s exactly what I’m supposed to do.”
Gabriel’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Gabriel Kane.”
A familiar voice laughed.
“Still dramatic.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
“Damian.”
Claire looked at him.
Damian Cross.
The man everyone believed had ordered the kidnapping.
“I hear we need to talk,” Damian said.
“We don’t.”
“If I wanted your nephew dead, he’d be dead.”
Gabriel’s face hardened.
Claire watched him carefully.
Damian continued.
“I didn’t order the convoy hit.”
“Your men were there.”
“Former men.”
“That distinction won’t save you.”
“I’m not asking you to save me.”
Damian paused.
“I’m asking you to meet me before your uncle gets us both killed.”
Two hours later Gabriel walked into an empty Catholic church.
Claire followed despite his objections.
Damian sat alone in the front pew.
No guards visible.
He was in his late forties, silver beginning at his temples.
“Claire Bennett,” Damian said.
“You’ve caused quite a mess.”
Gabriel stepped between them.
“Talk.”
Damian smiled.
“Protective. Interesting.”
“Talk.”
Damian’s smile vanished.
“Vincent approached me eight months ago.”
Claire listened.
“He wanted an alliance against you. I refused.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re predictable.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
Damian shrugged.
“You’re violent, territorial and arrogant. But you keep agreements.”
Claire nearly smiled.
Damian continued.
“Vincent doesn’t.”
“He told me you wanted Eli.”
“He lied.”
“Why would he kidnap the baby?”
“To break you.”
Damian looked toward Claire.
“And because Nathan left something behind.”
Claire touched the chain beneath her shirt.
Damian noticed.
“So you found it.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“How do you know about Nathan’s investigation?”
“Because Nathan came to me.”
Gabriel froze.
“When?”
“Two weeks before he died.”
Damian stood.
“He offered me immunity from your retaliation if I testified about Vincent’s deals.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No.”
Damian reached into his coat.
Gabriel drew his weapon instantly.
Damian slowly removed a phone.
He played an audio file.
Nathan’s voice filled the church.
“If something happens to me, Damian, it wasn’t Gabriel. Understand? Whatever else my brother is, he wouldn’t hurt me.”
Gabriel’s hand lowered.
Nathan continued.
“Vincent is trying to force a war. Don’t give him one.”
The recording ended.
For a second, Gabriel couldn’t speak.
Nathan had trusted him after all.
Then a red dot appeared on Damian’s chest.
Claire saw it first.
“DOWN!”
The stained-glass window exploded.
Gunfire ripped through the church.
Damian dove behind a pew.
Gabriel dragged Claire down.
More bullets struck the wooden benches.
Damian shouted, “Still think I arranged this?”
Gabriel fired toward the shattered window.
Mason’s team stormed the side entrance.
The shooters fled.
Minutes later one abandoned rifle was found outside.
Attached to it was a note.
Gabriel opened it.
Three words.
BRING ME CLAIRE.
May you like
And beneath them:
OR ELI DIES.
