Chapter 12 - BRADLEY'S PRICE
The note inside the envelope was handwritten.
Not Victor’s handwriting.
Bradley’s.
Sign the settlement. Give up the trust challenge. You get Lily back.
Hannah read it once.
Then again.
The rage that followed was so clean it almost calmed her.
“He has her.”
Detective Chen said, “We don’t know that.”
“I know his handwriting.”
Dominic looked at the page. “He wants you focused on the divorce, not the archive.”
“Then Victor and Bradley may not want the same thing anymore.”
Chen nodded. “Good. Division creates mistakes.”
Hannah looked at the settlement attached to the note.
Bradley demanded sole control of the trust for five years, immunity from civil claims, and a confidentiality agreement.
“He still thinks I’ll sign.”
Dominic said, “He thinks motherhood makes you predictable.”
“It does.”
Everyone looked at her.
Hannah folded the papers.
“I will do anything to get my daughter back.”
Dominic’s expression hardened. “That’s what he’s counting on.”
“No. He’s counting on me doing anything he tells me.”
She looked at Detective Chen.
“So let’s tell him yes.”
They arranged a call.
Bradley answered on the second ring.
“Hannah.”
His voice was warm.
That nearly made her vomit.
“Is Lily alive?”
“She’s fine.”
“Let me hear her.”
A pause.
Then a baby cried in the background.
Hannah’s entire body folded around the sound.
“I’ll sign.”
Bradley exhaled. “Good.”
“Where?”
“The old ferry terminal in East Boston. Midnight. Come alone.”
“No Dominic?”
“No police. No Russo men.”
Hannah let fear into her voice. It wasn’t difficult.
“Please don’t hurt her.”
“I’m her father.”
The lie almost made her break character.
Then Bradley added, “And Hannah?”
“Yes?”
“I know Dominic told you Vincent is alive.”
Hannah froze.
May you like
Bradley laughed softly.
“He won’t be by midnight.”
