Chapter 18 - The Fallout|
The impact knocked the breath out of both men, but Ricardo recovered faster. Years of carrying the weight of his sister’s unresolved death funneled into a single moment of absolute clarity.
He grabbed Lucas by the lapels of his expensive suit and slammed him back against the concrete pillar of the parking garage.
“You killed her,” Ricardo snarled, his forearm pressing brutally against Lucas’s throat. “You stood in that room and watched her die.”
Lucas gagged, clawing uselessly at Ricardo’s arm. The confident corporate shark was gone, replaced by a terrified, pathetic man gasping for air.
“Rick... please...” Lucas choked out, his eyes wide with fear. “I didn't... the nurse...”
“Don't you dare blame the nurse!” Ricardo roared, pressing harder. “Camila knew! She told Bia. She left the recordings. You destroyed our family for a payout, and you thought you could just walk away with my niece!”
For a split second, Ricardo wanted to snap his neck. It would be so easy. A small twist, and five years of agonizing grief would finally be avenged.
The sound of heavy boots echoing down the concrete ramp broke his trance.
“Step away, Mr. Silva!” Julian’s voice cut through the dark garage, followed by half a dozen armed federal agents with their weapons drawn.
Ricardo looked into Lucas’s terrified eyes one last time.
“You’re going to die in a federal cage,” Ricardo whispered.
He released his grip, letting Lucas crumple to the dirty concrete floor in a coughing, gasping heap.
The feds swarmed in instantly, yanking Lucas to his feet and violently securing his hands behind his back with heavy steel cuffs.
Julian walked up to Ricardo, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
“It’s over, Rick. You got him. The grand jury is convening right now. Helena has already agreed to testify against him in exchange for federal immunity.”
Ricardo watched as they dragged Lucas away toward an awaiting armored transport vehicle. The flashing red and blue lights painted the concrete walls in a rhythmic, dizzying pulse.
The adrenaline slowly began to drain from Ricardo’s body, leaving behind a profound, hollow exhaustion. He looked down at his trembling hands.
May you like
“I need to go see my niece,” Ricardo said quietly.
“Go,” Julian nodded. “I’ll handle the paperwork here. Take her home.”
