Chapter 4 - THE BETRAYAL OF AN OLD FRIEND
Victor froze instantly, feeling the cold steel of the gun barrel against his skin.
The rain soaked through his expensive wool suit, freezing him to the bone.
"Marcus," Victor said quietly, recognizing the voice of his closest ally.
Marcus had served alongside Victor for over ten years in the syndicate's shadows.
"I didn't want it to end like this, brother," Marcus said, his voice shaking slightly.
"Salvatore offered fifty million dollars for the girl's life."
"That's enough to buy an island and leave this hell forever."
Victor slowly turned his head, keeping Lily hidden behind his bulky frame.
"She is just a five-year-old child, Marcus," Victor warned softly.
"She is Elena's child," Marcus corrected bitterly. "She is a walking death sentence."
"If Salvatore finds out what is written inside that drawing, we are all dead!"
Victor’s eyes narrowed in the rainy darkness.
"What drawing?" Victor demanded.
Marcus laughed mockingly through the heavy rain.
"You didn't look at the back of the drawing, did you?" Marcus asked.
"Elena didn't draw a heart for fun, Victor."
"She drew a map using micro-pigment ink!"
"The key to Salvatore’s entire illegal empire is written on that paper!"
Victor felt Lily’s small fingers tighten around his neck.
She was holding the most dangerous secret in the entire criminal underworld.
"Lower the gun, Marcus," Victor commanded, his voice cold as ice.
"Or I swear to God, your body will rot in this alley before morning."
Marcus gritted his teeth and tightened his finger on the trigger.
"I'm sorry, Victor. Business is business."
Suddenly, a blinding flash of headlights illuminated the dark alley.
A heavy armored SUV slammed into the side of Marcus’s parked car with a deafening crash.
The impact sent Marcus flying across the wet pavement, losing his gun.
The door of the SUV swung open, revealing a mysterious woman in a black trench coat.
"Get in, Victor! Now!" she shouted over the roar of the engine.
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Victor didn't hesitate; he jumped into the back seat with Lily and slammed the door.
The SUV sped away into the stormy night, leaving Marcus bleeding on the cold street.
