Chapter 5 - Blood and BetrayalTen minutes later, the heavy mahogany doors of the penthouse library banged open.
Danny Bennett stumbled into the room, looking pale, disheveled, and terrified. His hoodie was torn at the shoulder, and his knuckles were bruised and bloody. Behind him, shoved forward by one of Leo’s guards, was a young woman Chloe had never seen before—crying hysterically, shaking like a leaf.
“Chloe! Thank God!” Danny cried out, rushing forward, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Leo standing by the fireplace like an executioner waiting for the drop.
“Danny, what the hell are you doing here?” Chloe demanded, jumping up from the couch, her hands instinctively flying to her belly. “I told you to lay low! I told you to leave the city!”
“I tried, Clo! I swear I tried!” Danny stammered, holding up his hands. “But they found us. Not Leo’s guys—the other ones. The Russian syndicate. The ones I originally stole the money from before Leo bought out the debt!”
Leo didn't move. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze sliding slowly from Danny to the sobbing girl standing behind him.
“Explain,” Leo said, his voice terrifyingly calm.
“She... she’s Viktor’s daughter,” Danny blurted out, pointing frantically at the girl. “Mila. Her father runs the Brooklyn docks for the Bratva. When I took the eighty grand, I didn't just lose it at the tables—I lost it in a poker game run by one of his lieutenants. They think I still have access to the syndicate’s offshore ledgers because of what I downloaded before I ran.”
Mila sniffled, wiping her eyes with a shaking sleeve. “He’s telling the truth, Mr. Moretti. My father has a hit out on both of us. They traced Danny to your safehouse network. They’re coming here.”
The room fell into absolute silence.
Chloe felt the world tilt on its axis. She looked at her brother—the sibling she had sacrificed her dignity, her body, and her future to save four months ago—and realized the nightmare wasn't over. It was only just beginning.
“You stupid, reckless idiot,” Chloe whispered, tears of rage and fear springing to her eyes. “I gave everything to save you! I gave my life to Leo so you could walk free!”
“I know, Clo! I’m sorry!” Danny sobbed, dropping to his knees. “Help us, Leo! Please! You’re the only one powerful enough to crush Viktor before he gets to us!”
Leo stared down at Danny with absolute contempt. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
“You broke the terms of our arrangement,” Leo said quietly, each word falling like a lead weight. “The moment you stepped foot near my property with Viktor’s bloodhounds trailing behind you, you put Chloe and my child in the crosshairs.”
“Leo, no!” Chloe cried, stepping between Leo and her kneeling brother. She grabbed Leo’s arm, her fingers digging desperately into his sleeve. “Please! Don't hurt him! He’s all I have left!”
Leo looked down at her hands on his arm, then slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. The raw, desperate pleading in Chloe’s eyes sliced straight through the impenetrable armor of his syndicate world.
He exhaled slowly, a heavy, measured breath.
“Marcus,” Leo called out without breaking eye contact with Chloe.
The head of security stepped into the doorway. “Boss?”
“Lock down the building. Activate Protocol Black. Double the sniper detail on the perimeter and notify the harbor captain that the Brooklyn docks are now closed indefinitely.” Leo’s jaw clenched. “And someone get this weeping idiot a glass of water before he ruins my rug.”
May you like
Chloe let out a shaky, ragged breath, her knees suddenly turning to jelly. Leo caught her by the waist before she could hit the floor, pulling her hard against his chest.
“You’re safe,” Leo whispered into her hair, his hand pressing flat against her back, shielding her from the chaos. “I told you before, Chloe. No one touches what is mine.”
