Chapter 19 - The Final Confrontation
The federal tactical units intercepted the black sedan before it could escape the logging trail. Two operatives in tactical gear dragged the driver out of the vehicle, slamming him against the hood with practiced efficiency.
When they brought the suspect back toward my vehicle, the hood lights illuminated his face.
It wasn't a syndicate mercenary. It was Victor Vance—an estranged cousin everyone in the family had believed died in a plane crash in South America twenty years ago.
“Victor?” I stepped out of my car, staring at the man in sheer disbelief.
Victor smirked, blood trickling from a scrape on his forehead. “Surprise, cousin. Did you really think Raymond and Marcus were the only ones who wanted a piece of the Vance empire?”
“You were supposed to be dead,” I said, keeping my voice cold and steady.
“Dead is such a convenient cover story when you're stealing government secrets and embezzling state funds,” Victor laughed bitterly. “Your father helped orchestrate my disappearance to protect the family name. But now? Now the empire belongs to the person with the most leverage.”
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“The empire belongs to no one who tries to steal it,” I replied, nodding to the federal agents. “Take him away.”
As they shoved Victor into the back of the cruiser, the final piece of the dark puzzle clicked into place. The shadows of the past had finally been dragged into the harsh, unforgiving light of day.
