All Chapters of THE BRIDE OF DECEPTION: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Annie's POVI was on the defensive after Robert's death because whoever killed him wanted to make sure the truth about my family stayed buried. Jack had our people sweeping for surveillance devices while Miranda changed all our communication protocols in case someone had been listening to my conversations with the investigator."We need to assume everything is compromised," Jack said during our emergency meeting. "Phone lines. Safe houses. Even people we think we can trust.""The Rossis are hitting us harder too," Miranda added while pulling up reports on her laptop. "Three more of our operations were attacked in the past twenty four hours. They're coordinating with someone who knows our exact locations."I rubbed my temples trying to focus on the immediate threats instead of thinking about Robert's body being found in his office. "How bad are the losses?""Half a million this week alone," Jack replied. "If they keep this up we'll be bankrupt before the end of the month."My phone ran

Annie's POVI picked up the broken pieces of my phone from where it had shattered against the wall because I needed to watch that video again to make sure I had not imagined what I saw. Jack had left me alone after I told him I needed time to process everything while my hands shook so badly I could barely hold the phone fragments together long enough to retrieve the video file.Using Jack's laptop I played the video from the beginning watching Claire walk through my nightclub carrying that bag full of explosives. But this time I let the video continue past where it had cut off before when the text message appeared. More footage started playing showing Claire in what looked like a different location entirely.The new footage showed my sister sitting in a chair speaking directly to the camera like she was recording a personal message meant specifically for me to find after the bombing. Her expression was calm while she explained exactly what she had done and why she had done it."I plan

Annie's POVI agreed to work with Claire temporarily because saving Miranda's life was more important than my pride or my anger at everything my sister had done to hurt me. Jack organized our team while I stared at the coordinates Claire had sent trying to memorize every detail of the building layout she provided."This still feels like a trap," Jack said while loading weapons into the back of our vehicle. "Claire has spent months trying to destroy you so why would she suddenly help rescue Miranda?""Because she wants something from me," I replied while checking my own gun to make sure it was ready. "She always wants something whenever she contacts me and this time it's a meeting after we get Miranda back.""Are you actually planning to meet with her alone like she demanded?" Jack asked."I'll deal with that problem after we rescue Miranda," I said while avoiding giving him a direct answer about my intentions.Twenty minutes later we were parked three blocks away from the building wh

Annie's POVI met Claire at a neutral location the next morning to plan our approach to the Rossi compound because we both knew Miranda's rescue had only bought us temporary breathing room before the family retaliated. Claire arrived first sitting at a back table in a diner that was mostly empty except for a few early morning customers."You actually came," Claire said when I slid into the booth across from her. "I thought you might change your mind after sleeping on it.""I came because I need to understand what our parents told you about Rossi security," I replied while keeping my voice low. "That information saved Miranda's life so I want to know what else you learned from them."Claire pulled out a folder containing hand drawn maps of several Rossi properties including the main compound where their leadership held meetings. "Our father worked on their security systems thirty years ago which means he knows every weakness in their defenses. These maps show secret entrances plus blin

Annie's POVWe made it back through the tunnel with guards still firing at us from behind. Claire stayed at the rear position the entire time while covering our retreat with precision shots that kept the Rossis from getting too close.I had expected her to turn on us at some point during the escape but she kept fighting beside us like she actually cared whether we lived or died.Jack helped me carry him toward the vehicles while the others stumbled along behind us. Blood soaked through his shirt where new wounds had opened during our fight to escape. His breathing came in short gasps that made me think something inside might be seriously damaged."Get them in the SUV," I ordered while Claire emerged from the tunnel entrance last. She slammed the door shut behind her then wedged a piece of metal through the handle to buy us more time before the guards could follow.Claire ran toward her own vehicle but I grabbed her arm before she could leave. "Are you really going to hide your intenti