Chapter 9
My father had left instructions.
Not written ones.
Not anything clean.
Three old captains were told that if Adrian ever surfaced publicly, the boy was to be protected.
For one second, I almost respected him.
Then Victor finished the sentence.
“Protected from you.”
I stared.
“Why?”
Isabella answered.
“Because Anthony believed you would kill him.”
Khloe looked at me immediately.
Not suspicion.
Concern.
I saw the difference.
“And you believed him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She smiled.
“Because you were already ruthless.”
I nodded.
“Fair.”
That surprised her.
“But ruthless is not the same as stupid.”
Silence.
“Why would I kill a boy for existing?”
“Because he could challenge you.”
“He was a child.”
“He would become a man.”
The logic disgusted me.
Children punished for imagined futures.
I looked at Victor.
“Where is Adrian now?”
He said nothing.
Isabella looked at him.
Too much passed between them.
I saw it.
“You know.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
I stood.
“Where?”
“Boston.”
Khloe inhaled softly.
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“How old?”
“Seven.”
Seven.
Old enough to read.
Ask questions.
Wonder why his family never came.
“Who watches him?”
Victor closed his eyes.
“Elena.”
“Still?”
“Yes.”
Isabella snapped, “He’s safe.”
I turned toward her.
“You don’t get credit for not killing the child you hid.”
Her face twisted.
“We protected him from you.”
“No.”
My voice went cold.
“You protected your position from what would happen if I learned he existed.”
She stared.
“Because once I know Adrian is real, you stop being the keeper of my father’s biggest secret.”
For the first time all afternoon, Isabella looked truly frightened.
May you like
Not because I threatened her.
Because I understood what made her important.
