Chapter 4 - Unraveling the Web
Daniel’s mind reeled as the pieces of the sinister puzzle suddenly locked into place. Dr. Alan Harrison wasn't just a corrupt physician taking a bribe; he was the mastermind behind a calculated, systematic destruction of the Russo family. He had used Rachel's brother, Tommy, as a pawn to create chaos, knowing that Rachel was a nurse at St. Catherine’s. The entire trap had been designed to bring Daniel to his knees from every angle.
Daniel walked over to Harrison, who was whimpering on the floor, held down by Mateo's heavy boot. Daniel bent down, his voice dropping to a icy whisper that chilled the doctor to the bone.
"You targeted her brother," Daniel said, his eyes black with murderous intent. "You tried to bleed my family dry, and you used an innocent woman's brother to do it."
Harrison’s eyes darted wildly. "You... you don't understand! Vane promised me everything! The hospital board... the money..."
"Take him to the basement," Daniel ordered Mateo coldly. "Keep him alive until I come down. Nobody touches him until I give the word."
"Yes, Boss," Mateo said, dragging the terrified doctor out of the shattered suite, leaving behind a trail of blood and broken promises.
Rachel sat on the floor, holding Leo close, her body trembling uncontrollably. She had heard the name—Tommy. Her heart squeezed in her chest, a sudden wave of ice running through her veins.
"What did you say about my brother?" Rachel asked, her voice cracking as she looked up at Daniel. She scrambled to her feet, holding Leo securely against her chest, her eyes wide with shock and fear. "What does Dr. Harrison have to do with Tommy? Daniel... tell me what's going on!"
Daniel looked at her, the blood on his knuckles contrasting sharply with the pale tenderness of her face. He had never felt so torn. He was a man who ruled through fear and absolute control, but looking at Rachel, he felt stripped of all his armor.
"Rachel," Daniel began softly, taking a step toward her, but she instinctively took a step back, her eyes darting to his bloody gun.
"Answer me!" she cried out, tears spilling over her cheeks. "Why did your man mention my brother? Is Tommy... is he hurt? Is he dead?"
Daniel swallowed hard, lowering his gun and placing it on the nearby table to show he was no threat to her. "Two hours ago, my operations on the docks executed a raid on a gambling ring. Your brother was caught in the middle of it. He was shot, Rachel."
Rachel let out a choked gasp, her knees giving out. Daniel rushed forward, catching her by the arm before she could hit the ground, carefully supporting both her and Leo.
"He's alive," Daniel said quickly, his hands holding her firmly. "Listen to me! He is alive. My men have him in an ambulance right now, heading to my private medical facility. The best surgeons in the state are waiting for him."
"You... your men shot him?" Rachel sobbed, looking at Daniel as if he were a monster. "He owed money to you?"
"He was set up by Harrison," Daniel explained, his voice filled with a desperate urgency to make her understand. "Harrison used your brother’s debt to lure my men into a turf war while he tried to kill Leo here. I didn't know Tommy was your brother when the order went out, Rachel. I swear to you on my wife's memory, I didn't know."
Rachel stared at him, overwhelmed by the insane reality of her life crashing down around her. Her brother was fighting for his life because of the very man whose baby she was holding in her arms. The billionaire boss she was supposed to fear was holding her up, his eyes filled with a raw, agonizing remorse that didn't belong to a ruthless mobster.
"Take me to him," Rachel pleaded, her voice trembling. "Please, Daniel. Take me to my brother."
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Daniel looked down at Leo, who was sleeping peacefully against Rachel's chest, his tiny breathing steady and calm for the first time in his life.
"We go together," Daniel said softly. "You, me, and Leo. I won't let anything happen to either of you ever again."
