Chapter 6 - THE BROTHER WHO WANTED THE EMPIRE
Adrian Vescari had spent his entire life being compared to Julian.
Julian was disciplined.
Adrian was impulsive.
Julian built businesses.
Adrian spent money.
Julian remembered promises.
Adrian made them easily and forgot them faster.
Their father, Carlo Vescari, had favored Julian openly.
When Carlo died, Julian inherited leadership of the organization.
Adrian received valuable property interests and a generous income.
He considered it an insult.
For years, he'd smiled at family dinners while nursing resentment.
Then Gabriel Thorne offered him a partnership.
The arrangement was simple.
Use Vescari-controlled logistics routes to move diverted medical equipment and conceal the proceeds through legitimate commercial transactions.
Adrian would receive substantial payments.
Gabriel would receive access.
And neither would need Julian's approval.
At least, that was the plan.
But Julian discovered suspicious transfers.
He demanded an internal review.
Then someone attacked him near a warehouse.
Now Julian sat across from Adrian inside the office their father once occupied.
"You knew about the equipment," Julian said.
Adrian leaned back.
"I know about lots of equipment."
"Don't."
Adrian smirked.
"Don't what?"
"Lie to me."
His younger brother's expression hardened.
"You've spent your entire life acting like you're the only intelligent person in this family."
Julian remained silent.
Adrian continued.
"You think everyone owes you loyalty because Father handed you the company?"
"Father didn't hand me anything. I spent fifteen years keeping the business afloat."
"And reminding me every day that I wasn't trusted."
Julian leaned forward.
"Did you arrange the attack?"
Adrian's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"Did you tell someone where I would be?"
Silence.
Then Adrian laughed.
"You're paranoid."
Julian studied him.
For years, he'd protected his younger brother from consequences.
Now he wondered whether that protection had become permission.
"Did you?" Julian repeated.
Adrian stood abruptly.
"I don't have to answer that."
"No. You don't."
Julian looked toward the door.
"But investigators may ask."
His brother went pale.
"You're involving police?"
"Yes."
Adrian stared.
"You'd betray your own family?"
Julian's expression changed.
For a moment, he remembered Norah.
The tired nurse who had no obligation to help him.
The woman he endangered by using her bag.
The patients whose equipment was stolen.
He looked back at Adrian.
"Family doesn't excuse hurting innocent people."
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"You've changed."
"Perhaps."
His brother moved toward the door.
Then stopped.
"Gabriel says that nurse is becoming a problem."
Julian went still.
"What?"
Adrian turned.
"The woman from the laundromat. She's asking questions."
Julian's face hardened.
"Stay away from her."
Adrian smiled.
"Sounds like you've grown attached."
Julian stood.
"That isn't a warning you want to test."
For a second, the old Julian returned.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Accustomed to obedience.
Then he forced himself to stop.
He was no longer willing to use threats as his first response.
Instead, he said, "Her safety is now a matter for investigators. Any attempt to intimidate her will be documented."
Adrian sneered.
"You're becoming soft."
Julian looked at him.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"I'm becoming accountable."
Adrian left.
Afterward, Cole entered.
"How bad?"
Julian sat down.
"Worse than I hoped."
Cole nodded.
"We found more questionable transfers."
"From Adrian?"
"And Gabriel."
Julian stared at the documents.
Then asked, "How many hospitals?"
Cole hesitated.
"At least six."
Julian closed his eyes.
The scale of the scheme was growing.
Six hospitals.
Hundreds of devices.
Millions in diverted funds.
And now an attempt on his life.
Cole lowered his voice.
"There's something else."
Julian opened his eyes.
"What?"
"We examined the vehicle records from the night you were attacked."
"And?"
"One of the cars belongs to a security company controlled by Gabriel."
Julian's jaw tightened.
Cole continued.
"But the passenger seen entering the vehicle was someone you know."
Julian looked up.
"Who?"
Cole placed a photograph on the desk.
A woman stood beside the vehicle.
Dark hair.
Long coat.
A familiar face.
Julian stopped breathing.
"That's impossible."
Cole said nothing.
Julian stared at the image.
Because the woman was his former fiancée.
Vivienne Hale.
The woman who'd left him four years earlier after claiming she wanted nothing to do with the criminal world.
May you like
And now she appeared to be working with the people who wanted him dead.
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