Chapter 8 - The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead First

Dominic opened the door.

Agent Peter Sloan entered.

Sixty-two.

Gray hair.

Federal badge.

Elena stared.

“You were dead.”

Sloan looked at her.

“So were you.”

Fair.

James Reed sat down.

He already looked guilty.

Sloan looked at the ledger.

“You found Margaret’s copy.”

I stared.

“You knew my mother.”

“Yes.”

“Did you threaten her?”

“No.”

“Did Alexander?”

“Yes.”

Dominic asked:

“Why did everyone think you died?”

Sloan looked at James.

“Because Mr. Reed filed the report.”

Cassandra stared at her father.

“Dad.”

James covered his face.

“I was ordered.”

Sloan nodded.

“By Alexander.”

Dominic looked at James.

“How many lives did you erase on paper?”

James whispered:

“Too many.”

Sloan continued.

“I entered deep cover after Elena disappeared.”

Elena frowned.

“Why not contact me?”

“I did.”

“No.”

“Letters.”

She stared.

“Where?”

Sloan looked at Vincent.

Dominic turned.

Vincent’s face changed.

“You intercepted them.”

Vincent whispered:

“Yes.”

Elena stared.

“Why?”

“Because I did not know if Sloan was compromised.”

Sloan laughed.

“You never asked.”

Vincent looked ashamed.

Dominic closed his eyes.

“Again.”

Everyone went silent.

He opened them.

“Again someone decided another person could not handle the truth.”

No defense.

Sloan looked at the ledger.

“This can end Alexander.”

Marcus crossed his arms.

“Can it?”

“Yes.”

“You had twenty years.”

“We did not have the original.”

Marcus nodded.

“Fair.”

Cassandra looked at Sloan.

“My uncle—Marcus—”

Marcus corrected:

“Half-brother.”

She ignored him.

“Can he get immunity?”

Sloan looked at Marcus.

“Depends what he gives us.”

Marcus smiled.

“Everything.”

Dominic stared.

“You mean that?”

“Yes.”

“Why now?”

Marcus looked at Elena.

Then Dominic.

“Because I am tired of being my father’s weapon.”

Elena studied him.

“You sound like Victor—”

No, wrong story. Let's avoid.

She said:

“You sound like Alexander when he wants sympathy.”

Marcus did not flinch.

“Then do not give me sympathy.”

He handed Sloan his phone.

“Give me a deal.”

Sloan took it.

Dominic asked:

“What happens tomorrow?”

Sloan answered:

“We let Alexander land.”

“Then?”

“Arrest him.”

Marcus shook his head.

“No.”

Sloan looked at him.

“He will have a duplicate identity ready.”

“He always does.”

Dominic frowned.

“What do you suggest?”

Marcus looked at the ledger.

“Make him believe we still need his signature.”

“For the trust?”

“Yes.”

Vincent understood.

“If he signs the temporary transfer…”

Marcus nodded.

“He confirms control of the shell companies.”

Sloan smiled slightly.

“Good.”

Dominic looked at Cassandra.

“What about the marriage documents?”

James answered:

“They are bait.”

Dominic stared.

“You knew.”

“Yes.”

Cassandra turned on her father.

“You planned to let us sign?”

“No.”

“You knew Alexander was using our marriage.”

“Yes.”

“And you said nothing.”

“I was trying to protect you.”

Cassandra laughed through tears.

Dominic looked at her.

She looked back.

Both understood the sentence now.

Trying to protect you.

The excuse that had ruined everyone.

Cassandra removed her engagement ring.

Dominic stared.

She placed it on the table.

“I love you.”

He said nothing.

“But I have spent months becoming exactly like them.”

James looked away.

Cassandra continued.

“I chose what you were allowed to know.”

Dominic looked at the ring.

Then at her.

“Yes.”

“I do not want to marry you while that is true.”

Silence.

Dominic nodded.

Neither dramatic.

Neither cruel.

Just honest.

Sloan looked at his watch.

“Airfield.

Nine a.m.”

Marcus looked at Dominic.

“Your father will expect you angry.”

“I am.”

“He will expect you desperate.”

“I am not.”

Marcus almost smiled.

“That may be the first thing he did not plan.”

At 8:51 the next morning, we stood inside a private hangar.

Dominic in a black suit.

No tie.

Elena hidden in the office above.

Sloan’s agents out of sight.

Marcus beside a fuel truck.

James and Vincent near the rear entrance.

Cassandra stayed with me.

A jet landed.

Door opened.

Alexander Vale stepped down.

Sixty-five.

Tall.

Silver hair.

Perfect coat.

Dominic stared at the father he had buried eight years earlier.

Alexander smiled.

“Son.”

May you like

[COMPLETED] “GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DRESS! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT AN OLD SEAM...

[COMPLETED] At the Mafia Boss's Engagement Party, I Served His Hungry So...

[COMPLETED] The Mafia Boss’s Fiancée Tried to Dismiss His Father’s Loyal...

Dominic answered:

“You missed the engagement dinner.”