Chapter 7 - The Confrontation
CLANG.
Another heavy blow struck the vault door.
"Clara..." a raspy, unfamiliar voice echoed through the speaker system mounted beside the door. "Come out, sweet niece. Your uncle has come to bring you home."
Clara stood up, her blood running cold.
"Victor Costa," Isabella whispered, her hand tightening around her rosary.
"I know you're in there with the old woman," Victor’s voice sneered through the intercom. "Dominic was brave. He fought well. But his men are dead, his house is burning, and he is kneeling out here on the marble floor, bleeding out."
Clara gasped, covering her mouth.
"Open the door, Clara, and give me the location of your mother's ledgers," Victor continued. "Do that, and I'll make Dominic's death quick. Refuse, and I will tear him apart piece by piece while you watch on the security monitors."
"Don't listen to him, Clara," Isabella begged quietly. "It's a trap."
Clara looked at the security panel. She pressed the monitor button. The screen flickered to life, showing the corridor outside.
Dominic was on his knees, his face bruised, blood soaking through his white shirt. Two armed men held his arms, while Victor Costa stood over him with a revolver. Yet despite the blood, despite the defeat, Dominic’s eyes were fixed directly on the camera—staring straight at Clara.
He shook his head slightly. Don't do it, his movement communicated.
Victor drew back his arm and struck Dominic across the face with the heavy barrel of his gun. Dominic’s head snapped back, fresh blood spraying onto the floor, but he didn't scream.
Clara’s heart shattered. She realized then, with absolute, terrifying clarity, that she didn't care about the ledgers. She didn't care about the mob. She cared about the man who had traded his life to protect hers.
"I'm coming out," Clara said into the intercom.
"Clara, no!" Isabella cried.
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"He will kill him if I don't," Clara said softly, turning to Isabella. "You gave me ten seconds of kindness in a room full of strangers. Your son gave me his life. Let me save him."
Clara entered the release code and pulled the heavy hydraulic lever.
