Lily stared at the image.
“That’s Daddy,” she whispered.
My brother lifted his face toward the camera.
“Get Lily out through the north escape shaft,” he said. “Do not trust the guards inside the room.”
The four guards turned toward one another.
Vincent raised his weapon.
No one breathed.
Then one guard fired.
The shot struck Vincent in the shoulder, throwing him against the wall.
Chaos erupted.
I dropped behind the steel console, shielding Lily with my body as bullets shattered the monitors.
Elena screamed.
Two loyal guards tackled the shooter. Another man drew his weapon and aimed at me.
Before he could fire, Elena struck him across the wrist with a metal emergency box. The gun skidded away.
I crossed the distance in two steps and drove him into the wall.
His mask of loyalty vanished.
I knew him.
Daniel Rizzo.
He had guarded my home for seven years.
He had eaten at my table.
“Who sent you?” I demanded.
He laughed through bloodied teeth.
“You still don’t understand.”
I slammed him harder against the wall.
“Who?”
His eyes moved past me.
Toward Vincent.
Vincent sat against the floor, one hand pressed to his wounded shoulder.
Daniel smiled.
“The man who has stood beside you since your father died.”
The room became unnaturally quiet.
I looked at Vincent.
Elena looked at Vincent.
Even the remaining guards hesitated.
Vincent’s face showed pain, shock, and anger.
“Don’t be stupid, Adrian,” he said. “He’s trying to divide us.”
Daniel laughed again.
“That’s what he always says.”
The ventilation warning flashed red.
Ninety seconds.
Matteo’s voice came through the speaker.
“Adrian, move!”
I dragged Daniel toward the wall panel.
“Open the north shaft.”
“I don’t know the code.”
I pressed my gun beneath his jaw.
“Then remember.”
He smiled.
“You won’t shoot me in front of the child.”
I looked at Lily.
Her face was buried against Elena’s shoulder.
Then I lowered the weapon.
Daniel’s smile widened.
