Chapter 7 - THE CHOICESienna left the penthouse.
Damian didn't stop her.
That was the hardest part.
He could have ordered his guards to follow.
He could have forced her to stay.
But sanctuary meant protection.
Not imprisonment.
Sienna returned to Queens.
Her mother stayed with her.
Leo came too.
For three days, they lived quietly.
Then Robert called.
Sienna answered.
"Dad?"
Silence.
Then:
"Are you safe?"
She began crying.
"Where are you?"
"I can't tell you."
"Please."
"I need you to listen."
"What?"
"The Russo family isn't your enemy."
Sienna closed her eyes.
"Then who is?"
"Victor."
"Why?"
"Because he believes your grandfather stole something from him."
"What?"
"An original ledger."
"The notebook?"
"No."
Robert paused.
"The ledger contains the names of everyone who helped build the network."
"Why does Victor want it?"
"Because his name is there."
Sienna understood.
"Where is the ledger?"
"With your mother."
Sienna looked at Diane.
Her mother went pale.
"I thought it was destroyed."
Robert whispered:
"It wasn't."
The call ended.
Sienna turned.
"Mom."
Diane began crying.
"I was trying to protect you."
She retrieved a small metal box.
Inside was a key.
Nothing else.
"The ledger is somewhere your father chose."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
Sienna stared at the key.
Then remembered the photograph.
The Obsidian Room.
Room 19.
She suddenly understood.
"The club."
Sienna returned to the Obsidian Room alone.
She walked through the corridor.
Down the hidden staircase.
Room 19.
The desk remained.
She searched the drawers.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a small groove beneath the desk.
The key fit.
A compartment opened.
Inside was a ledger.
Real.
Heavy.
Filled with names.
And a letter.
Sienna opened it.
If you're reading this, the people who built the network are coming for you.
Trust the man who gives you a choice.
She knew immediately who it meant.
Damian.
She closed her eyes.
Then heard footsteps.
Victor entered.
"You found it."
Sienna backed away.
"You killed my father."
"No."
"Where is he?"
"Alive."
"Take me to him."
Victor smiled.
"Trade."
"What?"
"Give me the ledger."
"And my father?"
"You'll see him."
Sienna hesitated.
Then handed it over.
Victor smiled.
But suddenly the lights came on.
Damian stood in the doorway.
Victor turned.
"You followed her."
"No."
Damian looked at Sienna.
"I trusted her."
Sienna's heart tightened.
Victor laughed.
"How touching."
He opened the ledger.
Then froze.
"The pages are blank."
Sienna smiled.
"The real ledger isn't here."
Victor's expression changed.
"You lied."
"No."
She stepped backward.
"I gave you the decoy."
Damian looked at her.
She whispered:
"My father taught me to survive."
Victor raised his weapon.
Damian moved instantly.
Gunfire erupted.
Silas stormed through the doorway.
Victor escaped through a hidden passage.
Damian grabbed Sienna.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Good."
She looked at him.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I didn't trust you."
He shook his head.
"You had every reason not to."
She stared at him.
"You still came."
"I promised sanctuary."
"You could have left me."
"No."
"Why?"
Damian looked into her eyes.
"Because somewhere between saving you and protecting you..."
He paused.
"...you became the person I couldn't walk away from."
Sienna's heart raced.
May you like
She reached for his hand.
And this time, he didn't pull away.
