Chapter 10 - THE VAULT HER FATHER LEFT BEHIND
Norah had inherited a vault she never knew existed.
Sebastian had apparently waited twenty years for her to open it.
That terrified Dominic more than anything else.
“You’re not going.”
Norah folded her arms.
“He has Elena.”
“I know.”
“He wants me.”
“I know.”
“Then I’m going.”
“No.”
Julian looked between them.
“Is this normal?”
Mateo nodded.
“Very.”
Norah ignored them.
“Dominic, if my father built that vault around my identity, then whatever is inside is probably the reason he died.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m handing you to Sebastian.”
“You won’t be.”
“He asked for you.”
“And he won’t expect us to prepare.”
Dominic stared.
Norah smiled faintly.
“You’re not the only person who can make plans.”
Six hours later, they entered First Lakeshore Trust.
The vault was beneath forty feet of reinforced concrete.
Norah placed her palm on a biometric scanner.
A red light became green.
Then the system asked one question.
WHAT DID YOUR FATHER CALL YOU?
Norah typed:
NORA-BIRD.
The vault opened.
Inside sat a metal case.
Nothing else.
Dominic opened it.
A hard drive.
Letters.
Photographs.
And a sealed envelope addressed to Norah.
She opened it.
Sweetheart,
If you are reading this, then I failed to keep you outside their world.
I’m sorry.
Norah’s eyes filled.
Dominic placed a hand at her back.
She continued.
The Castile empire was never controlled by Dominic’s father.
Sebastian controlled it through money, secrets, and fear.
Elena discovered the truth.
So did I.
We tried to stop him.
If Sebastian still lives, he will come for this drive.
It contains every payment he ever made.
Every murder.
Every betrayal.
Norah looked up.
“This can destroy him.”
Mateo nodded.
“And everyone tied to him.”
Julian found another letter.
“This one’s for Dominic.”
Dominic opened it.
Dominic,
Your sister trusted you.
Even when she ran.
She believed you could become something better than your father.
Do not prove her wrong.
Dominic stared at the words.
For once, Norah saw the weight of his name loosen slightly.
Then a phone rang.
Not theirs.
Inside the metal case.
An old flip phone.
Dominic answered.
Sebastian.
“You opened it.”
Dominic looked around.
“How do you know?”
“Because Thomas was clever enough to notify me.”
Norah’s stomach dropped.
“The vault system alerted him.”
Sebastian laughed.
“Bring me the drive.”
“First Elena.”
“You’ll see her.”
“Alive?”
“For now.”
“Location.”
Sebastian gave an address.
An abandoned riverside theater.
Midnight.
Then he added:
“And Dominic?”
“What?”
“Don’t bring Mateo.”
Mateo’s expression changed.
Dominic noticed.
“Why?”
“Because Mateo already betrayed you once tonight.”
The call ended.
Dominic turned slowly.
“What did he mean?”
Mateo said nothing.
“Mateo.”
His oldest friend lowered his eyes.
“I told Elena where the vault was.”
Norah frowned.
“Why?”
“Because she asked.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
Dominic’s face hardened.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Mateo swallowed.
“Because Elena wasn’t looking for the evidence.”
“What was she looking for?”
May you like
Mateo looked at Julian.
“She wanted to destroy it.”
