Chapter 5 - The Trap at Calder House
Victor Dane waited exactly six hours before responding.
Not with another meeting request.
With a photograph.
June leaving her apartment.
Taken months earlier.
On the back:
Families create weaknesses.
Rafe crushed the photograph in his fist.
“We end this.”
Malcolm nodded.
“How?”
Rafe looked toward June.
“No more secrets.”
Then toward me.
“And no more civilians involved.”
I frowned.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re going home.”
“I am home.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You don't get to dismiss me.”
“This is dangerous.”
“So was treating you outside that hotel.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“Because I didn't care about you then.”
The room went silent.
Even Malcolm looked away.
I stared at Rafe.
“What did you say?”
His jaw tightened.
“You heard me.”
June slowly stood.
“I suddenly need coffee.”
“June,” Rafe warned.
“Malcolm?”
“Desperately.”
They disappeared.
Cowards.
I folded my arms.
“You care about me?”
Rafe approached slowly.
“Yes.”
“That sounds inconvenient.”
“It is.”
“For whom?”
“Everyone.”
Despite myself, I smiled.
Then the lights went out.
Rafe moved instantly.
He pulled me behind a stone column.
“Stay down.”
A second later emergency lights illuminated the hallway.
Malcolm’s voice came through Rafe’s phone.
“Perimeter breach. Cameras are looping old footage.”
Rafe looked toward the stairs.
“June.”
We ran.
June was already coming down.
“I’m fine.”
“Stay behind me.”
“No.”
“June.”
“Not tonight.”
A crash came from the rear corridor.
Rafe’s security converged, but he didn't rush toward it.
Instead, he looked at me.
“What?”
I whispered, “It’s a distraction.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
“Because whoever planned the hotel attack knew your behavior.”
June understood.
“They know you run toward threats.”
Rafe turned.
“The front.”
Malcolm’s voice erupted over the radio.
“Vehicle at the front gate!”
Rafe moved toward the security room instead of outside.
That decision changed everything.
Minutes later, his men intercepted a disguised courier carrying surveillance equipment intended to be planted inside the house.
No shootout.
No dramatic confrontation.
Just evidence.
And evidence led somewhere bullets couldn’t.
Bank accounts.
Payments.
Messages.
Victor Dane had been trying to manufacture a war between Rafe and another organization while using June as leverage.
Rafe looked at the documents.
“We take this to federal investigators.”
Malcolm blinked.
“Seriously?”
“Dane expects retaliation.”
Rafe leaned back.
“So we disappoint him.”
I smiled.
“Look at you making healthy decisions.”
He pointed toward me.
“This is your fault.”
“Happy to help.”
June entered.
“There's one more thing.”
She handed Rafe her phone.
A message from Adrian Dane.
I can testify. My father ordered everything.
Rafe stared at it.
June swallowed.
“He wants protection.”
Rafe looked at Malcolm.
“Get our attorney.”
Then he looked at his sister.
“Your decision.”
June seemed surprised.
“You're asking me?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to ‘I decide because I'm your brother’?”
Rafe glanced at me.
“I've been receiving complaints.”
I laughed.
June smiled.
“Then let's hear Adrian out.”
Rafe nodded.
May you like
For once, he didn't argue.
---
