Chapter 6 - THE BETRAYALThey returned to Manhattan under heavy security.
Damian said almost nothing.
Sienna watched him from the back seat.
She could see the conflict in his eyes.
Silas had been beside him for fourteen years.
Brother.
Friend.
Protector.
Betrayal was difficult to accept.
But the evidence was overwhelming.
When they reached the penthouse, Silas was waiting.
He stood alone.
Damian entered.
"How's your shoulder?"
Silas smiled.
"Still attached."
Damian closed the door.
"Did you authorize a transfer from the Russo Foundation?"
Silas's smile disappeared.
"No."
"Did you access my private account?"
"No."
"Then someone used your credentials."
Silas looked at him.
"You're questioning me?"
"I'm asking."
"After everything?"
Damian's voice remained calm.
"Answer me."
Silas stared.
Then slowly removed his watch.
He placed it on the table.
"Someone stole it."
Damian frowned.
"My watch?"
"There's a tracker inside."
Silas looked at Sienna.
"Whoever had this could access the private elevator."
Damian's eyes narrowed.
"Who stole it?"
"I don't know."
Suddenly the lights went out.
Sienna heard movement.
A body hit the floor.
Then silence.
Emergency lights came on.
Silas was gone.
And so was the ledger.
Sienna's blood froze.
"Damian."
He looked at her.
"What?"
"The notebook."
Missing.
Damian's jaw tightened.
"We've been played."
They tracked Silas to a warehouse.
Damian refused to bring Sienna.
She followed anyway.
Inside, they found him tied to a chair.
Blood ran from his forehead.
Damian rushed forward.
"Silas."
Silas opened his eyes.
"I didn't betray you."
"I know."
"Then who?"
A voice answered from the darkness.
"Me."
A man stepped forward.
Damian froze.
Sienna had never seen him before.
But Damian had.
"Victor."
His uncle smiled.
"Hello, nephew."
Damian raised his weapon.
Victor laughed.
"You really are your father's son."
"You framed Silas."
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because you trust him."
Victor looked at Sienna.
"And now you trust her."
Sienna stepped closer.
"What do you want?"
Victor smiled.
"You."
Damian moved in front of her.
Victor laughed.
"Always protecting someone."
He turned toward Damian.
"That's your weakness."
"You murdered my father."
"No."
Victor's expression became cold.
"Your father betrayed me."
"He tried to stop you."
"He tried to destroy what our family built."
Sienna spoke.
"You built it on stolen money."
Victor looked at her.
"You sound like your father."
"Where is he?"
Victor's smile vanished.
"Still alive."
Sienna's heart stopped.
"Where?"
Victor pointed at Damian.
"Ask him."
Damian frowned.
"What?"
Victor laughed.
"Your father is the reason she was brought into your world."
Sienna stared at Damian.
"What does that mean?"
Damian didn't answer.
Victor continued.
"Robert Hayes didn't accidentally discover our operation."
He paused.
"He was assigned to infiltrate us."
Sienna's face went pale.
"That's impossible."
"Your father wasn't merely an officer."
Victor smiled.
"He was a federal informant."
Damian looked at Sienna.
She looked shattered.
"Did you know?"
"No."
"You're lying."
"I swear."
Victor stepped backward.
"Your father trusted the wrong people."
He pressed a button.
The warehouse doors slammed shut.
Gas began filling the room.
Damian grabbed Sienna.
"Run!"
They raced toward the side exit.
Silas broke free.
Together, they escaped.
Outside, Sienna collapsed.
Damian knelt beside her.
"Look at me."
She pushed him away.
"You knew."
"I didn't."
"My father was investigating your family."
"I didn't know."
"You knew his name."
"That's different."
She stared at him.
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
Damian had no answer.
For the first time in years, the most powerful man in New York looked helpless.
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Because he had just realized the woman he had sworn to protect no longer trusted him.
And that frightened him more than any enemy ever had.
