Chapter 8 - THE BROTHER IN THE SHADOWS

The truth was uglier than revenge.

Vincent Lane had fathered three children with three women.

Sophia.

Hunter.

Marco.

Sophia inherited legitimacy.

Hunter inherited nothing.

Marco inherited rage.

"He found out when he was seventeen."

Isabella explained.

"Vincent refused to acknowledge him."

"Marco swore one day everything Vincent built would belong to him."

Lorenzo stared.

"But Vincent died with nothing."

"Exactly."

Isabella looked at Sophia's frozen image.

"So Marco attached himself to you."

"Because Sophia married me."

"Because Sophia inherited Vincent's remaining assets."

"And because when Leo was born..."

Hunter finished.

"Leo became the next heir."

Isabella nodded.

Lorenzo's voice hardened.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because Marco threatened you."

Lorenzo laughed bitterly.

"Everybody protected me by lying."

Isabella looked ashamed.

Hunter stepped closer.

"Did Marco kill Sophia?"

"I believe so."

"Did he pay Tommy?"

"Yes."

"Did he poison Leo?"

Isabella hesitated.

"I don't know."

Hunter noticed.

"What aren't you saying?"

Isabella looked toward Lorenzo.

Then footsteps sounded outside.

Gunfire erupted.

The windows shattered.

Lorenzo dragged Hunter down.

Marco's men stormed the clinic.

"Back exit!"

Lorenzo shouted.

They ran.

Isabella was hit.

She collapsed.

"Mother!"

Lorenzo turned.

Hunter grabbed his arm.

"Get her!"

He lifted Isabella.

They escaped through a service tunnel.

Outside, Lorenzo's men opened fire.

Hunter ran toward the armored car.

Then she heard something.

A baby crying.

She stopped.

"Lorenzo."

"What?"

Hunter looked back toward the clinic.

"There's a baby inside."

"Impossible."

She heard it again.

Weak.

Desperate.

Hunter's face went white.

She ran back.

"HUNTER!"

Lorenzo chased her.

They entered a back room.

A portable crib sat beneath a single light.

Inside was Leo.

Hunter screamed.

She grabbed him.

Lorenzo stared.

"If Leo is here..."

His face changed.

"...who is sleeping in my nursery?"

Hunter looked down.

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