Chapter 14: The Mafia King's Secret and Dilemma

*WARNING: This chapter contains explicit mention of violence.*

[Ralph's POV]

"Give me the goddamn algorithm, Edward!" I thundered at the man kneeling on the floor before me. "Or I'll blow her brains out!!"

I nodded at Ben, and his lips moved to give the order into the phone.

On the screen behind me, the masked man pressed the barrel of his gun at the back of the hostage's head.

I watched as blood drained from the man's face.

"Alright! I surrender! I'll give it to you! Let my baby girl go, please!" The senior engineer clasped his hands together, begging and shaking in raw fear. "Don't hurt her! She's all I've got! Please, Mr. Ralph!"

I forced myself not to look at the screen—and that frightened fourteen-year-old, blindfolded and strapped to a chair.

"You'll hand over the files for the algorithm, Edward…," I muttered quietly.

"Yes, yes, I'll do it….I swear….," he sobbed.

"And give me your word that you'll never speak of this to anyone, not even your daughter, then I give