Chapter 13 - THE MOTHER BEHIND THE MASK
"Gabriel?"
The woman on the hospital bed spoke his name like a prayer.
Gabriel stood frozen.
Eleven years.
Eleven birthdays without her.
Eleven Christmas mornings without the sound of her laughter.
Eleven years of flowers left beside an empty grave.
"Mom?"
Victoria reached toward him.
Her hand trembled.
"My boy."
Gabriel moved forward, but Vincent stepped into his path.
"Not so fast."
Gabriel stopped.
"What did you do to her?"
Vincent smiled.
"Your mother survived the fire. She simply became inconvenient."
Gabriel looked at Victoria.
Her face bore scars near her hairline, and she appeared weak, but her eyes were unmistakable.
The same eyes that had comforted him when he was frightened.
The same eyes that had taught him kindness was not weakness.
"You told me she was dead."
Vincent shrugged.
"She should have been."
Gabriel's fists tightened.
But he remembered Harper's words.
Don't become like him.
He forced himself to remain still.
"What do you want?"
"Your signature."
Vincent placed a folder on the table.
Documents transferring control of several Rossi companies into his name.
Gabriel glanced at them.
"That's why you brought me here?"
"You're going to restore what belongs to me."
"And if I refuse?"
Vincent looked toward Victoria.
Gabriel's heart slammed against his ribs.
But then he noticed something.
Victoria's fingers were moving against the blanket.
Three taps.
A pause.
Two taps.
Another pause.
It was the code she used when Gabriel was a child.
A secret signal between them.
Stay calm. I have a plan.
Gabriel took a slow breath.
"Give me a pen."
Vincent smiled.
"There's my son."
As Gabriel reached for the folder, Mitchell moved toward Evelyn.
They exchanged a glance.
Then Mitchell suddenly pulled a gun.
"Nobody moves!"
Vincent spun around.
"What are you doing?"
Mitchell pointed the weapon at him.
"Your reign is over."
Evelyn stood.
"You promised me Elena would die in the fire. You promised I'd have her life."
Vincent's face twisted.
"And you believed me?"
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
"No. That's why I kept the evidence."
She held up a small hard drive.
"The security recordings. Your confession. Everything."
Gabriel glanced toward the concealed device beneath his jacket.
The investigators were hearing every word.
Mitchell stepped closer to Vincent.
"Now you're going to give us the account access."
But Vincent began laughing.
"You're both fools."
A sudden electronic beep interrupted him.
Gabriel looked toward the hospital bed.
Victoria's eyes widened.
"Gabriel, the door!"
Metal shutters began descending over the exits.
A red light flashed above the corridor.
Vincent smiled.
"You thought I'd walk into my own trap?"
Then he reached into his coat.
May you like
And pulled out a small remote.
"Nobody is leaving until I get what I came for."
