Chapter 14 - WHEN THE MONSTER KNEELSVictor disappeared.
For three days, no one found him.
The police had the recordings.
The financial documents were being handed over.
The media had begun reporting on the Bennett empire.
Blake was arrested.
Vanessa was dead.
Elena was alive.
And Victor Cross was missing.
Mara's mother stayed in a secure house.
Mara remained with Adrian.
But everything between them had changed.
They had crossed a line.
Mara no longer trusted easily.
Adrian knew it.
He never touched her without asking.
Never entered her room without knocking.
Never made a decision about her without telling her.
It was strange.
Uncomfortable.
But slowly, Mara began to notice.
He was trying.
One morning, Adrian entered the kitchen.
“I have news.”
Mara looked up.
“What?”
“Blake wants to see you.”
“No.”
Adrian nodded.
“Okay.”
Mara stared.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to tell me why?”
“He wants to make a deal.”
“With me?”
“Yes.”
Mara thought.
“Where?”
“Prison.”
She looked at him.
“I’ll go.”
Adrian's expression tightened.
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
They visited Blake that afternoon.
He looked smaller behind the glass.
For the first time, Mara saw him without power.
Without his mansion.
Without his money.
Without people waiting to obey him.
He looked ordinary.
That was almost worse.
Blake picked up the phone.
Mara did the same.
“You came.”
“Yes.”
“You look different.”
“So do you.”
He smiled.
“Still angry.”
“No.”
Blake frowned.
Mara continued.
“I’m not angry anymore.”
“What are you?”
“Free.”
His smile disappeared.
Mara watched him.
“Why did you ask to see me?”
“I can tell you where Victor is.”
Mara's heart tightened.
“Where?”
“You have to help me.”
“No.”
Blake laughed.
“You don't even know what I want.”
“I know you.”
His eyes hardened.
“You think Adrian loves you?”
Mara said nothing.
“He doesn't.”
“Maybe.”
Blake stared.
Mara continued.
“But I know what he doesn't do.”
“What?”
“He doesn't make me afraid to say no.”
Blake looked away.
Mara smiled faintly.
“That must be difficult for you.”
His face turned cold.
“You think this is over?”
“Yes.”
“You think Victor will let you live?”
“No.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
Mara leaned closer.
“Because I’m not alone anymore.”
Blake stared at her.
Then he gave her the location.
A warehouse near the harbor.
Adrian was waiting outside.
Mara told him.
He immediately called his men.
They surrounded the warehouse.
Victor was inside.
He had Elena.
And Mara's mother.
Again.
Mara stepped out of the vehicle.
Adrian grabbed her arm.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You said we would do this together.”
“Together doesn't mean you walk into danger.”
“Then what does it mean?”
Adrian looked at her.
“It means I go first.”
Mara shook her head.
“No.”
“Mara.”
“Victor wants me.”
“That is exactly why you stay here.”
Mara looked at him.
Then said quietly:
“No.”
Adrian stopped.
She continued.
“You don't get to protect me by leaving me outside.”
His face tightened.
Mara stepped closer.
“I’m going in.”
Adrian stared at her.
Then he nodded.
“Stay beside me.”
“I will.”
They entered the warehouse.
Victor stood near the center.
Mara's mother was tied to a chair.
Elena stood nearby.
Victor smiled.
“You came.”
Mara stepped forward.
“Let them go.”
Victor looked at her stomach.
“Come to me.”
Adrian raised his weapon.
Victor's men aimed theirs.
The room froze.
Victor smiled.
“You have a choice, son.”
Adrian's eyes were cold.
“You're not my father.”
Victor laughed.
“Blood says otherwise.”
Mara looked at Victor.
“You wanted an heir.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you hurt everyone around me?”
“Because fear creates loyalty.”
Mara shook her head.
“No.”
Victor frowned.
“Fear creates prisoners.”
Adrian looked at her.
Mara continued.
“And prisoners eventually escape.”
Victor raised his weapon.
A shot fired.
Adrian moved in front of Mara.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
Mara screamed.
“Adrian!”
He fell to one knee.
Victor smiled.
“Now you understand.”
Mara looked at Adrian.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Something inside her went cold.
She turned toward Victor.
“You made one mistake.”
Victor stared.
“What?”
“You thought I was still afraid of you.”
Mara grabbed a fallen weapon.
Victor's men turned.
Adrian shouted:
“Mara, no!”
She did not shoot.
Instead, she aimed at the lights.
The warehouse went dark.
Elena attacked the nearest guard.
Mara's mother kicked the chair backward.
Adrian fired from the floor.
Within seconds, Victor's men were down.
Victor ran.
Mara chased him.
They reached the loading dock.
Victor turned.
He raised his gun.
Mara stopped.
Adrian appeared behind him.
“Drop it.”
Victor looked at his son.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Adrian stepped closer.
Victor dropped the gun.
Then slowly fell to his knees.
The monster who had controlled Baltimore for decades finally knelt before the son he had tried to destroy.
Adrian stood over him.
Mara watched.
Victor whispered:
“You won't kill me.”
Adrian looked at him.
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“Because you're weak.”
Adrian shook his head.
“Because I want you alive.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
Adrian continued.
“Alive to watch everything you built disappear.”
Police sirens approached.
Victor looked at Mara.
“You think this changes who you are?”
Mara looked at him.
“No.”
She placed one hand over her stomach.
“It changes who I choose to become.”
The police entered.
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Victor Cross was arrested.
And for the first time in decades, his empire had no king.
