Chapter 13 - The Second Betrayal
Matteo released Elena.
“Nico is at the estate.”
“Not anymore,” Luca said through the speakers.
A security image appeared on a wall monitor.
A vehicle was leaving the Varric mansion.
Nico’s nanny sat in the back seat with the baby in her arms.
Matteo’s face went cold.
The nanny had passed every background check.
Elena recognized her.
“That’s Dr. Vale’s daughter.”
Vale looked toward the floor.
Aldo’s network had planted her months earlier.
The raid at Black Harbor had pulled most of Matteo’s loyal security away from the estate.
Nico had never been the immediate target.
He had been the insurance policy.
Luca’s voice returned.
“Bring Elena and the original ledger to Pier Nine.”
“You have twenty minutes.”
Matteo seized Vale by the collar.
“Where are they taking my son?”
Vale pointed toward a service tunnel leading to the river.
“A boat.”
“Luca planned to transfer both boys before sunrise.”
Rachel entered with federal agents.
When she saw Samuel alive, relief crossed her face.
Then Matteo showed her the monitor.
Rachel immediately ordered marine units toward Pier Nine.
“They won’t arrive in twenty minutes.”
“Then we do.”
Liana refused to remain behind.
She secured Samuel against her body in a medical carrier.
“Elena risked her life for my son.”
“I’m not leaving while hers is in danger.”
Matteo looked at the sleeping infant.
“I cannot ask you to take Samuel near that pier.”
“You didn’t.”
Liana handed Samuel to a federal medic.
She bent close and kissed his forehead.
“Mommy is coming back.”
The words were a promise this time.
Dante appeared at the corridor entrance with his injured arm bandaged.
Matteo glared at him.
“You should be with a doctor.”
“I found Luca’s river route.”
He held up a map.
“There is an old maintenance tunnel beneath Pier Nine.”
“We can reach the boat before it clears the dock.”
Elena picked up the copied ledger.
“Aldo thinks this is what he wants.”
Rachel understood.
“You will make the exchange while we board from below.”
Matteo took Elena’s hand.
For months, he had imagined what he would say if he could see her once more.
There was no time for any of it.
“I believed you were dead.”
“I know.”
“I stopped looking.”
“They made you.”
“I should have known.”
Elena squeezed his hand.
May you like
“Know me now.”
Together, they ran toward the river.
