Chapter 7 - HER FATHER HAD BEEN ALIVE THE WHOLE TIME
Maya listened to the audio eleven times.
Same voice.
Same cadence.
Same hesitation.
Evelyn swore it was Gabriel Romano.
Julian had never met him.
Derek had been an infant when Gabriel disappeared.
But Evelyn knew.
And Maya believed her.
Not because she wanted to.
Because Evelyn looked devastated.
“If he survived,” Maya whispered, “why didn’t he come for me?”
Nobody answered.
That question hurt more than whether he lived.
A dead father could not choose absence.
A living one could.
Victor sent an address.
No message.
An abandoned printing warehouse near the river.
Julian immediately said:
“No.”
Maya looked at him.
“I didn’t ask.”
“You’re not walking into Bellini’s trap.”
“That man may know where my father is.”
“He also blackmailed you with your mother.”
“So?”
“So I’m not letting desperation make you stupid.”
Maya’s face hardened.
“You don’t get to call me stupid.”
“I didn’t.”
“You implied it.”
“I said desperate.”
“I am desperate.”
Julian looked at her.
For once, his voice softened.
“I know.”
That nearly broke her.
Instead she looked away.
Derek interrupted.
“We can control the meeting.”
Julian glared.
Derek shrugged.
“She’s going with or without us.”
Maya crossed her arms.
“Finally, someone learns.”
They went.
Not visibly armed like an invasion.
That would scare Victor away.
Maya entered first.
Julian and Derek watched through hidden surveillance.
The warehouse smelled like dust, ink, and river damp.
Victor Bellini stood beneath a hanging light.
Alone.
At least visibly.
Maya stopped ten feet away.
“You know where Gabriel is.”
Victor smiled.
“I knew you’d come.”
“Where is he?”
“You’re impatient.”
“I’ve had twenty-three years.”
That removed the smile.
Victor studied her.
“You have his eyes.”
Maya hated hearing it from him.
“Why did he stay away?”
Victor looked toward the dark windows.
“Because your existence ended a war.”
“What?”
“After Gabriel disappeared, the Romanos believed Dominic killed their heir.”
“He did.”
“Partly.”
“What does that mean?”
Victor ignored it.
“Then rumors started that Gabriel had a child.”
“Maya.”
“Yes.”
“The Romanos wanted you?”
“Antonio Romano did.”
“My grandfather.”
Victor nodded.
“Dominic refused.”
“Why?”
“He believed Marco was your father.”
“So?”
“So giving you to the Romanos would expose the DNA lie.”
Maya’s pulse quickened.
“Gabriel stayed hidden to protect me?”
Victor laughed.
“No.”
That hurt.
“Then why?”
“Because he was afraid.”
“Of Dominic?”
“Of everyone.”
Maya stepped closer.
“Where is he?”
Victor looked at her.
“First, the second ledger.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Julian does.”
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“You’re getting better at lying.”
Maya’s jaw tightened.
“You said the debt was about the ledger.”
“It was.”
“Then why my mother?”
“Elena witnessed too much.”
“She knew Gabriel lived?”
“Yes.”
Maya felt cold.
“My mother knew?”
“Eventually.”
“How long?”
Victor paused.
Maya understood immediately.
Years.
“Tell me.”
“She saw him twelve years ago.”
Maya’s breath stopped.
Her mother knew Gabriel lived when Maya was eleven.
And still said nothing.
“Why?”
Victor answered:
“Because Gabriel asked her to.”
Maya’s anger shifted.
“Why?”
“He believed someone inside Croft’s organization had been watching you.”
“Who?”
Victor smiled.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The right question.”
Maya heard something behind her.
Footstep.
Julian’s voice came through the tiny receiver in her ear.
“Maya, move.”
Too late.
A man emerged from the shadows.
Gun raised.
Not aimed at Maya.
At Victor.
Victor turned.
Shot.
The gun cracked.
Victor fell.
Maya screamed and dropped.
Julian and Derek rushed in from the side entrance.
Gunfire exploded.
One shooter ran toward the rear loading bay.
Derek chased.
Julian reached Maya.
“Are you hit?”
“No.”
“Stay down.”
Victor groaned.
Blood spread across his shoulder.
Not fatal.
Maybe.
Maya crawled closer.
“Who shot you?”
Victor laughed weakly.
“Still asking questions.”
“Who?”
He grabbed her wrist.
“Your father.”
Maya froze.
“What?”
Victor’s eyes flicked toward the fleeing shooter.
“No.”
He coughed.
“Not Gabriel.”
Maya stared.
“Then who?”
Victor’s grip tightened.
May you like
“The man who raised Julian.”
Then he passed out.
