Chapter 18: The Traitor Within

The barrel of the rifle pressed firmly against the back of Marco's head.

Time seemed to stop.

Every De Luca soldier froze, staring in disbelief at the man standing behind their boss.

"Boss..." Luca whispered, unable to believe what he was seeing.

The armed man slowly removed his face mask.

Marco didn't even turn around.

"I was wondering how long it would take," he said calmly.

The traitor smiled.

"You always were too observant, Marco."

"Then why didn't you stop me?"

"Because I needed to know who you were working for."

"Now I do."

Victor Kane burst into laughter.

"Allow me to introduce Dominic Russo."

"One of your most trusted captains for the last eight years."

Gasps echoed through Marco's men.

"Dominic?"

"Impossible!"

"He saved Boss's life countless times!"

Dominic shrugged.

"That was part of the job."

"The closer I stayed to Marco... the more information Victor received."

Luca clenched his fists.

"You betrayed everyone."

"I chose the winning side," Dominic replied coldly.

"Power always belongs to the highest bidder."

Marco finally turned to face him.

"I trusted you."

"Trust is expensive," Dominic answered.

"Victor paid better."

Devon felt his stomach tighten.

Everything suddenly made sense.

"You leaked our locations," he said.

"The mansion attack..."

"The steel mill..."

"The hospital..."

"That was all you."

Dominic smiled proudly.

"Every move you made reached Victor before you even left the room."

"Including tonight."

Richard Hamilton lowered his head sadly.

"Greed destroys everything," he whispered.

Victor slowly walked toward Devon.

"Now... let's finish our business."

He handed the leather envelope to Alexander Graves.

"Read the first page."

Alexander opened it carefully.

"The Hamilton International Trust..."

"Assets valued at over twelve billion dollars..."

"Controlling ownership transferred to the legal heir upon reaching twenty-six years of age."

"Beneficiary... Devon Hamilton."

Everyone looked toward Devon.

He stood speechless.

"Congratulations," Victor mocked.

"You're officially one of the richest men in America."

"Too bad you won't live long enough to enjoy it."

"Don't touch him," Marco warned.

"Or what?" Victor laughed.

"Your own man has a rifle pointed at your heart."

"You're surrounded."

"You're injured."

"You've lost."

Marco slowly smiled.

"Have I?"

Victor frowned.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Because you made one mistake."

"Only one?"

"You assumed Dominic was the only traitor in this room."

Victor's expression changed instantly.

"What does that mean?"

Marco calmly looked toward Alexander Graves.

"Alexander."

"How much did Victor promise you?"

Alexander hesitated.

Victor immediately noticed.

"Alexander?"

"Answer him."

"Twenty million dollars," Alexander admitted quietly.

"Enough to disappear forever."

"But Victor never planned to pay you."

Victor's face darkened.

"Be careful what you say, Marco."

"Am I wrong?"

"Once Devon signed the trust over... Alexander became another loose end."

"Exactly like Richard."

"Exactly like Benjamin."

"Exactly like Dominic will become."

Silence filled the foundry.

Dominic slowly looked toward Victor.

"He's lying... right?"

Victor forced a smile.

"Of course he is."

"Really?" Marco continued.

"Then why is Victor's helicopter already waiting on the roof... with only two seats prepared?"

Alexander's eyes widened.

Dominic slowly lowered his rifle.

"Two seats?"

"Victor..."

"What about us?"

Victor's calm mask finally cracked.

"Don't listen to him!"

"He's manipulating you!"

"Just like you manipulated Richard?" Marco replied.

"Or Benjamin?"

"Or every partner you've ever had?"

Dominic's grip weakened.

"Boss..." Luca whispered.

"Now?"

"Now," Marco answered.

In one lightning-fast movement, Marco grabbed Dominic's rifle and twisted it away.

A loud gunshot echoed through the factory ceiling.

Chaos exploded.

Luca tackled two mercenaries.

Benjamin rushed toward Richard.

Miriam ducked behind a steel machine.

Devon threw himself at Victor before he could escape.

The two men crashed into the concrete floor.

"You ruined everything!" Victor shouted.

"No," Devon replied through gritted teeth.

"You did."

Victor punched him hard across the jaw.

Devon stumbled backward.

Before Victor could fire his pistol...

Marco kicked the weapon from his hand.

"It's over, Victor."

"Not yet!" Victor roared.

He pulled another hidden handgun from his ankle holster.

Instead of aiming at Marco...

He pointed it directly at Devon.

"If I can't have the Hamilton fortune..."

"Neither can you!"

Victor pulled the trigger.

The gunshot echoed through the abandoned foundry...

And someone stepped in front of Devon at the very last second.