Chapter 11 - THE LIGHTHOUSE
Michael brought Isabella to the lighthouse.
The beginning of Emma's story.
The end of Claire's.
Vincent wanted an army.
Emma knew better.
Michael wanted the ledger.
The key from the pendant opened a hidden compartment beneath the lighthouse stairs.
Claire had known.
Emma found the compartment.
Inside was the ledger.
And thirteen years of evidence.
Michael smiled.
Then he pointed a gun at Isabella.
“Give it to me.”
Emma held the ledger.
Vincent stood twenty feet away.
Unarmed.
For Isabella.
Tony waited outside.
Emma looked at Michael.
“You followed me before the crash.”
“Yes.”
“You knew who I was.”
“Yes.”
“You sabotaged Isabella's car.”
Michael smiled.
“She was supposed to die. You were supposed to run. Then Peter would collect you.”
Emma's stomach turned.
“Why me?”
“Because blood opens doors.”
Anthony Romano had created encrypted accounts.
Only a verified biological heir could access them.
Vincent had refused to cooperate with Michael.
Emma was the alternative.
Michael needed her alive.
Until he had her blood.
Then she became unnecessary.
Emma smiled.
Michael frowned.
“What?”
“You made one mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“You thought I jumped into the ocean because I wasn't afraid.”
Emma stepped closer to the cliff.
“I was terrified.”
“Emma,” Vincent warned.
She looked at him.
“But fear comes second.”
Emma threw the ledger into the ocean.
Michael screamed.
He turned his gun toward her.
Vincent moved.
Isabella dropped.
A shot fired.
Tony crashed through the lighthouse door.
Michael stumbled backward.
The cliff edge broke beneath him.
For one second, Emma saw his face.
Shock.
Then he disappeared into the same ocean meant to kill Isabella.
Silence followed.
Vincent ran to Emma.
He grabbed her shoulders.
“Are you hit?”
“No.”
“Are you insane?”
“Probably.”
“You threw the evidence away!”
Emma smiled.
“No, I threw a dictionary away.”
Vincent stared.
Emma pulled a flash drive from her shoe.
“I copied the ledger.”
Isabella began laughing.
Tony sat down heavily.
Vincent stared at his thirteen-year-old sister.
Then he hugged her.
Emma froze.
Vincent immediately started to release her.
Emma grabbed his shirt.
“Don't.”
He stopped.
May you like
So did the whole world.
For the first time Emma could remember, someone held her and she did not count the seconds until she could escape.
