Chapter 10 - The Boy Adrian Needed
Adrian did not want Lucas dead.
That disturbed Daniel more than if he had.
Federal investigators discovered why.
Caroline had created a trust after Lucas's birth.
Daniel had signed it without reading every clause.
If Daniel died or became legally incapacitated before Lucas turned twenty-one, control of several legitimate Brooks companies would transfer temporarily to a trustee.
The trustee's name was Adrian Cole.
Daniel stared at the paperwork.
“He planned this years ago.”
The federal attorney nodded.
“He needed you removed.”
“And Lucas alive.”
“Until he could control the assets.”
Natalie felt sick.
Lucas was not a child to Adrian.
He was a key.
Daniel stood.
“Where is he?”
“We don't know.”
“You have his phone.”
“A burner.”
Daniel looked toward the window.
“He knows my systems.”
“He knows your habits.”
Natalie spoke.
“Then stop giving him Daniel Brooks.”
Both men looked at her.
“Give him what he doesn't understand.”
Daniel frowned.
“What?”
“A father.”
Adrian expected violence.
Retaliation.
Territory.
Power.
He did not expect Daniel to surrender control voluntarily.
By afternoon Daniel signed emergency documents freezing his ownership interests.
The companies would be managed independently while prosecutors investigated.
Adrian's path to control vanished.
His response came three hours later.
A video.
Mara appeared tied to a chair.
Alive.
Terrified.
Adrian stood behind her.
“You took my future.”
He looked into the camera.
“So I'll take your witness.”
Daniel clenched his jaw.
Adrian continued.
“Bring Caroline's original drive.”
A pause.
“And bring Natalie.”
Lucas was in the doorway.
Nobody had heard him enter.
“No.”
Natalie turned.
His face had gone white.
Adrian smiled from the screen.
“Midnight.”
The video ended.
Lucas ran to Natalie.
“No.”
She held him.
“I'm not going anywhere yet.”
“You can't go.”
Daniel looked at her.
“She isn't.”
Natalie stared at him.
“Mara will die.”
“I know.”
“You cannot decide for me.”
“I can decide not to hand you to a murderer.”
Lucas clung tighter.
Natalie looked down at him.
The choice seemed impossible.
Then Evelyn spoke.
“What if Adrian never asked for Natalie because he wanted Natalie?”
They turned.
Evelyn pointed toward the screen.
“He wants Lucas.”
Daniel understood first.
“Natalie is bait.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Lucas follows her.”
Natalie's blood ran cold.
Adrian did not believe Daniel would bring Lucas.
He believed Lucas might follow the woman he feared losing.
For the first time, they understood the depth of Adrian's plan.
He had studied the boy.
May you like
Not as family.
As leverage.
