Chapter 4 - Secrets in the Blood
Harper scrambled backward on the bed, her heart hammering against her ribs. She gripped the heavy silver lamp on the nightstand with her left hand, her only weapon.
The door swung open. A tall silhouette stood in the frame, silhouetted by the emergency red lights of the hallway.
"Harper," a whispered voice called out.
It wasn't Dominic. It was Paige.
Her half-sister stepped into the room, her designer dress stained with dirt and grease. In her hand, she held a small, silver pistol. Her face was frantic, eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal.
"Paige?" Harper gasped, lowering the lamp slightly but keeping her guard up. "How did you get in here?"
"I knew the codes," Paige whispered, her voice cracking. "Father... Father has a mole in Dominic’s organization. He’s had one for years. I took the service elevator."
"Get out," Harper hissed. "If Dominic finds you—"
"You think Dominic is your savior?" Paige laughed, a hysterical, dry sound. "Harper, you stupid, naive little girl. Why do you think Father wanted your signature so badly? It wasn't about the money. The trust fund is empty. It’s been empty for years."
Harper froze. "What?"
"The trust was a cover," Paige said, stepping closer, the gun shaking in her hand. "The paperwork Father wanted you to sign wasn't for a bank transfer. It was an adoption termination and an NDA. You aren't a Langford, Harper."
The words hung in the cold air of the bedroom, heavy and impossible.
"You're lying," Harper said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Ask yourself why he hated you so much," Paige sneered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Why you were always the one locked in the library, the one who was beaten, the one who was hidden away while I got the dresses and the praise. You were the daughter of Julian Vance."
Harper’s breath caught in her throat. Julian Vance was the head of the rival syndicate that Dominic’s father had destroyed fifteen years ago. A war that had paved the way for the Kane family's rise to absolute power.
"No," Harper whispered. "That's impossible."
"Grayson Langford took you in to keep the Vance assets from falling into the Kane family's hands," Paige said. "But Dominic found out. He didn't save you because he cares about you, Harper. He saved you because your blood gives him the legal and syndicate right to claim the entire North Shore territory. He’s using you. Just like Father did."
Suddenly, the lights flashed back on, blinding them both.
A shadow fell over the doorway.
Dominic stood there, his gun drawn, his face cast in cold stone. His clothes were spattered with fresh blood, but his hand was perfectly steady.
"Drop the gun, Paige," Dominic said.
Paige spun, pointing the weapon at Dominic’s chest. "Tell her! Tell her the truth, Dominic! Tell her you only want her because of who her real father was!"
Dominic didn't look at Paige. His eyes were fixed on Harper, watching her face pale as the realization settled in.
"She's right, isn't she?" Harper whispered, her voice breaking. "You knew who I was."
Dominic stayed silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, he lowered his weapon.
"I knew," Dominic said. "But she's wrong about one thing."
"Oh, really?" Paige spat.
"I didn't bring her here to claim her territory," Dominic said, his gaze locked on Harper’s eyes. "I brought her here because Julian Vance was the man who murdered my mother. And your father, Paige, was the one who pulled the trigger and blamed it on him to start the war. Harper isn't my pawn. She’s my proof."
Before Paige could pull the trigger, a loud bang echoed through the room.
May you like
Paige gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She dropped her gun, clutching her shoulder as blood began to seep through her designer dress. Behind her, Victor stood with a smoking pistol.
"Take her to the basement," Dominic ordered coldly. "And find the mole."
