Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE CAMERAS WENT DARKRain had started.
Vincent crossed the garden without a weapon.
He had never done anything like that before.
Usually, he moved with guards.
With information.
With surveillance.
Tonight he had none of it.
The greenhouse stood at the far end of the property.
One door was open.
Vincent entered.
Matteo sat inside.
Adrian stood behind him.
For a moment, Vincent couldn't move.
His brother looked older than the photographs.
Thinner.
A scar ran along his jaw.
But it was him.
Vincent knew.
Adrian smiled.
"Hello, brother."
Vincent stared.
"You let me bury you."
"You buried someone."
"Who?"
"Someone who looked enough like me."
Vincent's face tightened.
"You planned everything."
"Not everything."
"You used my identity."
"Yes."
"You used the cameras."
"Yes."
"You made me believe my wife was dead."
Adrian's expression changed.
"I didn't make you believe it."
Vincent stopped.
Adrian continued.
"You needed to believe it."
Vincent looked at Matteo.
"Why him?"
"Because your wife refused to cooperate."
"With what?"
"She knew what our father had done."
Vincent shook his head.
"Our father wasn't the mastermind."
"No."
"You were."
Adrian smiled.
"Finally."
Vincent took one step forward.
Adrian raised a weapon.
"Stay there."
Vincent stopped.
Matteo looked at him.
He wasn't crying.
He was simply watching.
Vincent slowly lowered his hands.
"I'm not here to fight you."
Adrian laughed.
"You've always fought."
"Not tonight."
"Why?"
Vincent looked at Matteo.
"Because I finally understand what you wanted."
Adrian frowned.
"You wanted me afraid."
Silence.
"You knew I'd respond to fear with control."
Vincent looked toward the greenhouse cameras.
"You used my own system against me."
Adrian's smile faded.
"You were predictable."
"I was."
Vincent nodded.
"But I'm not anymore."
Adrian shifted the weapon.
Vincent moved closer.
"Let him go."
"No."
"Then take me."
Adrian stared.
Vincent continued.
"You want control?"
"Yes."
"Then take the person you've been trying to control."
Adrian hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Dominic appeared outside the greenhouse.
Police officers followed.
Adrian turned.
Vincent didn't.
"Put the weapon down," Dominic shouted.
Adrian raised it.
Vincent stepped between him and Matteo.
"Don't."
Adrian stared at his brother.
"You'd die for him."
Vincent looked at Matteo.
"Yes."
Adrian's face changed.
He lowered the weapon.
Police rushed inside.
They arrested him.
Matteo remained still.
Vincent turned toward him.
He crouched.
"I'm sorry."
Matteo looked at him.
Vincent swallowed.
"I thought protecting you meant knowing everything."
His voice broke.
"It meant I never stopped watching."
He glanced at the dark cameras.
"But I stopped seeing you."
Matteo's eyes filled.
Vincent held out his hand.
Matteo hesitated.
Then took it.
Outside, rain struck the greenhouse roof.
For the first time in eleven months, Vincent didn't care what the cameras recorded.
May you like
There were no cameras.
And somehow, that made the moment feel more real.
