I struck him with the grip instead.
He collapsed.
The remaining loyal guard forced open the emergency panel. Behind it was a narrow steel ladder leading upward.
“Go,” I told Elena.
She grabbed my arm.
“What about Matteo?”
“I’ll get him.”
“You don’t know where he is.”
“He’s my brother.”
“And Lily is his daughter.”
The words stopped me.
The gas warning flashed.
Sixty seconds.
Matteo’s face reappeared on the remaining monitor.
“Adrian, listen to me. Get them out. I sealed the tunnel behind me. I cannot reach you.”
“No.”
“Do not do this again.”
“Do what?”
“Choose guilt over the living.”
The words struck like a fist.
For years, I had mistaken punishment for love. I had believed suffering proved loyalty to the dead.
Matteo knew that.
He had always known me too well.
Lily suddenly pulled away from Elena and reached toward the screen.
“Daddy!”
Matteo’s expression shattered.
For the first time, he saw her clearly.
His daughter.
Three years old, terrified, clutching the sleeve of a man he had warned her mother not to trust.
“Lily,” he whispered.
She touched the screen.
“You came back.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
“Yes, little star.”
“Are you hurt?”
“A little.”
“I have Buttons.”
“I know.”
“He helped Uncle Adrian be brave.”
Matteo looked at me.
Despite the blood on his face, despite the years between us, I saw my younger brother again.
“Take care of her,” he said.
“That is not goodbye.”
“Adrian—”
“That is not goodbye.”
The timer reached thirty seconds.
Elena climbed into the shaft with Lily.
Vincent tried to stand.
I looked at the loyal guard.
“Take him.”
The guard hesitated.
Vincent’s eyes met mine.
“You believe Daniel?”
“I believe no one.”
Pain flashed across his face, but he nodded.
