Chapter 8 - THE HEIR HE COULD CONTROL
Salvatore had learned about the paternity test before Luca received it.
Someone inside the independent laboratory had sold him the information.
Maya changed everything.
Luca had no recognized children.
If he died, control of the Costello holdings passed temporarily to Salvatore.
But a biological heir could challenge that succession.
Maya did not need to understand the empire to threaten him.
Her existence alone could remove Salvatore from power.
Bianca believed he planned to take the child and force Luca to sign permanent control of the legitimate companies.
Elena lifted Maya into her arms.
“We’re leaving.”
Luca did not stop her.
“Gabriel will take you to a protected house.”
“I don’t want one of your houses.”
“Then choose the location.”
“I want police protection.”
Marisol nodded.
“That can be arranged.”
Luca looked at Maya.
She was frightened but trying not to show it.
“Will you come too?” she asked.
“I have to finish something here.”
“You said fathers come when they know.”
The words cut through him.
Luca reached for her hand.
“I will come.”
“Not after.”
“With us.”
Elena watched him.
The old Luca would have remained at the estate because power demanded his presence.
The man in the wheelchair had already lost twelve years to men who convinced him duty came first.
He would not give them another night with his daughter.
Luca left the estate under police escort.
Bianca remained behind for questioning.
Before Luca entered the armored vehicle, she called his name.
“Salvatore has men inside your company, your security, and the police.”
“Trust no route chosen by someone else.”
Marisol changed the convoy plan immediately.
The protected location was a federal safe house near the lake.
Halfway there, a delivery truck blocked the road.
The lead police vehicle slowed.
Luca saw the mistake before anyone else.
The truck’s rear doors opened.
Armed men emerged.
Gunfire struck the convoy.
Gabriel accelerated and forced the armored SUV onto a narrow side road.
Elena pulled Maya to the floor.
Tommy, who had refused to leave Maya, covered her head with his own body.
The SUV crashed through a wooden barrier and stopped near a drainage canal.
Gabriel opened the rear door.
“Move.”
Luca’s wheelchair had been secured to the floor.
The locking mechanism jammed.
Smoke entered through the front vents.
Elena tried to release him.
“Take the children,” Luca ordered.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Maya needs you.”
“She needs both of us.”
Gabriel fired through the broken windshield.
Footsteps approached from the road.
Maya crawled beneath Luca’s chair.
She reached for the manual release lever.
Her small fingers pulled once.
Nothing happened.
She pulled again.
The chair unlocked.
Elena and Gabriel dragged Luca out seconds before the vehicle caught fire.
They escaped into the drainage tunnel as gunmen surrounded the burning SUV.
May you like
In the darkness, Maya held Luca’s hand.
“Your legs aren’t the only thing that needs to wake up,” she whispered.
