Chapter 14 - The Fall of an Influencer Empire and the Truth Laid Bare
Delaney backed away, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“Daphne... what are you doing?”
“Fixing my life!” Daphne shouted, her voice echoing off the concrete walls. “Jared and I lost everything because of you! But the internet loves a tragedy, Delaney. When they find out that Vance’s little girlfriend was caught in a tragic ‘accident’ during a late-night confrontation, and I was the heartbroken survivor who tried to save her... I’ll get all my followers back! I’ll write a book! I’ll be bigger than ever!”
“You’re insane,” Delaney whispered, horror washing over her. “You would kill your own sister for views?”
“You ruined me!” Jared screamed, pointing the gun at Delaney’s chest, his hands shaking violently. “My father disowned me! I’m going to prison for fraud! If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!”
Jared cocked the hammer of the revolver.
Delaney braced herself, closing her eyes.
CRASH!
The entire industrial wall of the studio shattered into a thousand pieces.
A heavy armored SUV smashed directly through the brick and metal doors, sending concrete rubble flying across the floor.
Jared screamed as the impact threw him backward against the wall, the gun flying from his grip and clattering across the floor.
The SUV doors flew open.
Armed tactical guards in black tactical gear poured into the room, red laser sights painting Jared and Daphne in seconds.
And stepping out of the vehicle was Salvatore Vance.
He looked like an angel of death.
His dark coat whipped around him, his face carved from pure, unyielding rage.
Jared scrambled across the floor, reaching desperately for the gun.
Salvatore was faster.
He closed the distance in three strides and brought his heavy combat boot down onto Jared’s hand with crushing force.
A sickening crunch echoed through the studio, followed by Jared’s bloodcurdling scream of agony.
Salvatore kicked the weapon away, then grabbed Jared by the collar, lifting the full-grown man off the floor with one arm and slamming him against the brick pillar.
“I warned you,” Salvatore growled, his voice a low, terrifying rumble. “I told you that if you ever touched her again, you would pay with your life.”
“Please! Salvatore, please don't kill me!” Jared sobbed, tears and snot running down his bruised face.
Delaney rushed forward.
“Salvatore, stop! Don't ruin your life for him! He’s not worth it!”
Salvatore looked at Delaney.
The moment his eyes met hers, the murderous fury in his expression melted into desperate relief.
He dropped Jared to the floor like a sack of garbage.
“Arthur,” Salvatore ordered without looking back. “Hand them over to the federal authorities. Make sure the charges include attempted murder, conspiracy, and extortion. Ensure they never see the light of day again.”
Daphne fell to her knees, screaming and crying as the guards placed zip-ties around her wrists and confiscated her camera.
“Delaney! Tell him to stop! I’m your sister! Delaney!”
Delaney didn't turn back.
She walked straight into Salvatore’s arms.
May you like
Salvatore wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her tightly against his chest, burying his face in her hair as he let out a long, ragged breath.
“You’re safe,” Salvatore whispered, his voice trembling slightly with an emotion he had never shown to anyone in the world. “I have you. You’re safe.”
