Chapter 4 - the penthouse confrontation
The private elevator opened directly into the top-floor penthouse of the Cross Tower.
Victor stepped out, his weapon in hand, stepping past two disarmed Cross bodyguards who lay groaning on the hardwood floor.
Adrian Cross stood near the floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline, holding a glass of bourbon. His navy tuxedo was gone, replaced by a dark silk robe.
"You move fast, Victor," Adrian said smoothly, setting his glass on a glass table. "I expected you an hour ago."
Victor bridged the distance in two strides, slamming the steel barrel of his pistol against Adrian’s throat, pinning him against the glass window.
"Where is my daughter, Adrian?" Victor growled, his jaw set like iron.
"I don't have your kid, Moretti!" Adrian choked out, raising his hands in surrender. "I wanted your shipping routes and your signet ring! I don't kidnap seven-year-old girls!"
Victor pulled the photograph from his jacket and shoved it against Adrian's face. "Then explain this! Why were you with Elena ten years ago?"
Adrian stared at the photograph, his eyes flickering with genuine surprise. "That photo was taken in Chicago! Elena came to me ten years ago begging for protection because she claimed you were trying to kill her!"
"That's a lie," Victor snarled.
"Check the financial records on my desk!" Adrian yelled. "Celeste brought me that photo yesterday! She promised me your empire if I helped her frame you for Elena's disappearance! Celeste was paid two million dollars from a Chicago bank account three hours ago!"
Before Victor could answer, his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a video call from an unlisted number.
Victor answered and held the screen up.
The video feed showed his daughter, Maya, sitting inside a brightly lit diner, happily eating pancakes. Sitting across from her, holding a cup of coffee, was Victor’s older sister, Sofia Moretti.
May you like
"Sofia?" Victor asked, his breath catching.
Sofia looked into the camera, her expression calm and steady. "She’s safe with me, Victor. I pulled her out of Westchester before Celeste's team arrived. But you need to come to the docks now. We found something in Elena's old trunk."
