CHAPTER 8 — The Brother Who Never Died
The Queen led Vincent into a medical wing unlike anything he had ever seen.
Rows of private rooms.
Advanced equipment.
Armed guards at every door.
She stopped outside Room 17.
"Go inside."
Vincent slowly pushed open the door.
His heart stopped.
A man sat beside the window reading a newspaper.
Older.
Thinner.
His hair completely gray.
But Vincent recognized him instantly.
"Luca..."
The newspaper slipped to the floor.
His older brother slowly stood.
Neither man spoke.
After thirty years...
they embraced.
Vincent could barely breathe.
"I buried you."
"I know."
"I watched you die."
"You watched another man."
Luca's voice trembled.
"The Queen faked my death."
"She threatened to kill my wife... my son... everyone I loved."
"So I disappeared."
Vincent stepped back.
"You let me believe I caused your death."
Luca lowered his head.
"I thought hatred would keep you alive."
Tears filled Vincent's eyes for the first time since childhood.
Then Isabella noticed something strange.
Luca's wrist.
A tiny scar.
Exactly where a tracking chip would be implanted.
She quietly pulled Vincent aside.
"Don't trust him."
Vincent frowned.
"He's my brother."
"No."
"He's still wearing their chain."
Before Vincent could answer...
Luca suddenly pulled a hidden pistol.
He pointed it directly at Vincent's chest.
"I'm sorry."
"They're watching."
"If I don't kill you..."
"They'll kill my grandson."
A red laser appeared on Luca's forehead.
Isabella had already taken aim.
Three siblings.
Three guns.
One impossible decision.
No one moved.
May you like
Then a single gunshot echoed through the room.
Everyone froze.
