Chapter 8
Luca felt every ounce of fear turn into fury.
“They were planning to do to Maya what they did to me.”
Samuel stared at the photograph.
“Maybe worse.”
Luca looked at him sharply.
“What does Phase Two mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I don’t know.”
For once, Samuel sounded genuinely afraid.
Luca forwarded the image to federal investigators.
Then another message arrived.
This one came from an unknown secure number.
Vittorio.
DO NOT GO TO THE TOWER ALONE.
Luca typed back.
YOU ARE THE LAST PERSON WHO GETS TO GIVE ME ORDERS.
The reply came quickly.
THEN LET ME GIVE YOU A WEAPON.
Luca frowned.
A file appeared.
He opened it.
Audio recordings.
Financial ledgers.
Security footage.
Years of evidence against Voss, Benjamin, Margaret, several executives, and even Vittorio himself.
Samuel looked stunned.
“He sent everything.”
“Why?”
“Maybe he knows this ends tonight.”
Luca downloaded the files and forwarded them to investigators.
Then he called Vittorio.
His father answered.
“What do you want?”
“The truth.”
“You have it.”
“No. Why send evidence that can imprison you?”
Vittorio was silent.
Then he said, “Because Adrian crossed a line.”
Luca laughed bitterly.
“Drugging me for twelve years wasn’t the line?”
“No.”
“My mother?”
Silence.
“My daughter was.”
Luca almost threw the phone.
“You don’t get to pretend this is love.”
“I’m not pretending.”
“Then what is it?”
“Legacy.”
Luca ended the call.
At 11:47 p.m., they reached Moretti Tower.
Police vehicles remained several blocks away under Luca’s instruction.
He didn’t trust who might be watching.
The building seemed empty.
Samuel and Luca entered through the underground garage.
The executive elevator required Luca’s biometric scan.
ACCESS DENIED.
Samuel tried a service key.
Nothing.
Then Luca remembered Maya’s words.
Check photos.
He looked again at the image of Project Heir.
Behind the paper was part of a wall.
A keypad.
A number was visible in the reflection.
1208.
“Maya photographed the access code.”
Samuel entered it.
The elevator opened.
They rode to the forty-eighth floor.
When the doors parted, Benjamin stood waiting.
“Luca.”
Luca stepped out.
“Where are they?”
Benjamin looked tired.
“You should have stayed in the wheelchair.”
Luca punched him.
Benjamin hit the floor.
Samuel moved past him.
“Clear the offices.”
Luca grabbed Benjamin by the collar.
“Where is Maya?”
Benjamin smiled through a bleeding lip.
“You still think Adrian is the villain.”
“He poisoned me.”
“He perfected what your father started.”
“What does that mean?”
Benjamin laughed.
“Ask Vittorio why your accident was so useful.”
Luca’s stomach tightened.
“You said Voss caused it.”
“I did.”
Benjamin leaned closer.
“But your father knew before it happened.”
Luca froze.
“He could have stopped it.”
Benjamin’s smile disappeared when they heard a door open.
Voss walked from the conference room.
Elena stood beside him.
A guard held her arm.
Maya was behind them.
Alive.
Luca released Benjamin.
“Maya.”
“Dad!”
The guard blocked her.
Voss held a syringe.
Again.
Luca stared at it.
“You really need a new trick.”
Voss smiled.
“This isn’t for you.”
He turned toward Maya.
Elena struggled.
“Don’t!”
Luca stepped forward.
Voss raised the syringe.
“One more step.”
Luca stopped.
“What is Phase Two?”
Voss looked pleased.
“Your daughter inherited remarkable neurological resilience.”
“She is eight.”
“And exceptional.”
“She is not your experiment.”
“She already is.”
Maya suddenly looked at Luca.
Then at the ceiling.
Then back at Luca.
Her eyes moved deliberately.
Up.
Luca followed her gaze.
A security camera blinked.
He understood.
Maya smiled faintly.
Voss did not.
Luca raised his voice.
“Go ahead, Adrian. Explain Project Heir.”
Voss laughed.
“Why?”
“Because you love hearing yourself sound smarter than everyone else.”
The insult worked.
Voss stepped closer.
“Project Heir began with you.”
May you like
Behind him, the security camera continued recording.
And somewhere downstairs, federal agents were already receiving the live feed.
