Chapter 13 - Elena's Secret
Rafael stared at the floor.
Sofia looked at him. "Mom knew?"
Salazar leaned back. "Elena discovered Rafael was moving money through my companies. She copied records. She threatened to go to police."
"You killed her?"
Rafael shouted, "No!"
Salazar's expression lost its smile. "Cancer killed your mother. But fear kept her quiet longer than it should have."
Sofia felt tears burn her eyes.
"Dad?"
Rafael whispered, "She wanted to leave me."
"So you stopped her?"
"I begged her not to destroy the family."
Sofia laughed bitterly. "You mean destroy you."
Salazar watched them like theater.
"Elena made one mistake. She gave Rafael the only copy of her evidence because she still loved him."
Mateo's voice came through Sofia's hidden earpiece.
"Keep him talking."
Sofia stepped closer to Salazar.
"Why do you care about the old contract?"
"Because it proves my newer paperwork is defective."
"Forged."
He shrugged. "Words lawyers enjoy."
"And Wynn?"
For the first time, Salazar's face changed.
Tiny. But Sofia saw it.
"Charles Wynn," she continued. "Your federal insurance policy."
Salazar stood.
"You have no idea what you're holding."
"I know enough."
He pulled a gun.
At the same second, the restaurant's back window exploded inward.
Mateo fired once into the ceiling.
"Drop it!"
Chaos erupted.
Rafael kicked his chair sideways. Ethan drove into one guard. Sofia ducked behind the bar.
Salazar grabbed Rafael by the collar and dragged him toward the kitchen.
"Dad!"
Rafael looked at Sofia.
Then, for the first time in years, he made a choice that cost him something.
May you like
He slammed himself backward into Salazar.
The gun fired.
