Page 15 of Ruined By Capture

Istare at Alessio's boot hovering over the crypto wallet, my heart slamming into my throat. The thought of losing everything—all that evidence, all those lives—makes my stomach twist into knots. I twist my mother's ring frantically, the thin band chafing my skin.

"It's not a simple USB," I say, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. "It's a crypto wallet."

His eyebrow lifts, interest flickering across his face. "Cryptocurrency? That's what this is about? You stole money?"

"No—yes—it's not that simple." My words tumble out in a desperate rush. "The wallet contains cryptocurrency worth hundreds of millions but that's not why I took it."

He shifts his weight slightly, easing the pressure on the device but keeping his foot positioned. "I'm still waiting for a reason not to crush this thing."

"Raymond and my father..." I swallow hard, the words bitter on my tongue. "They're running an organ harvesting operation. Human trafficking. The wallet contains all the transaction records, buyer information, victim data—everything stored on a private blockchain."

His expression doesn't change, but something in his eyes darkens. "And you expect me to believe Antonio Lombardi's precious daughter just discovered this?"

" I found it last night in Raymond's study." I stop, realizing how naive I'll sound. "I was looking for anything I could use to convince my father the marriage was a mistake. What I found instead was proof they've been selling people for parts."

Alessio's jaw tightens. "So you copied his files?"

"No. I took the actual wallet." I can't keep the triumph from my voice. "I used a backdoor in his network security to bypass the biometric lock. That's why I was running," I continue, my voice steadier now. "Not because I don't love Raymond—although I don't—but because I found out what he really is. What my father is."

Alessio studies me, his expression unreadable. I have no idea whether he believes me or if the Ferettis are involved in similar operations. His world, like my father's, exists outside normal laws and ethics. But I need him to understand what's at stake.

"I only managed to hack one file because I didn't have time. But it was enough to make me run," I say quietly. "Dates. Names. Age. Medical data. Hundreds of victims. Children." My voice breaks on the last word. "I can't let that evidence be destroyed. Those people deserve justice."

I meet his gaze directly, dropping all pretense. "You can turn me in for the thirty million if you want. But please don't destroy that wallet. It's the only proof."

I examine Alessio's face, searching for any sign that he believes me. His dark eyes reveal nothing as he stares back. After what feels like forever, he finally removes his foot from above the crypto wallet.

"If what you're saying is true..." He bends down and picks up the device, turning it over in his hand. "How did you manage to bypass military-grade security just like that? These things are designed to be impossible to crack without the right fingerprint."

"I studied Computer Science in London," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the relief flooding through me that he's not threatening to destroy the evidence.

Alessio lets out a short laugh. "I already know that. Your father made sure everyone knew about his daughter's prestigious education." His eyes narrow. "What I didn't know is that you have these kinds of skills. Hacking into encrypted devices isn't exactly part of the standard curriculum."

"No one truly knows," I say. "Not my father, not Raymond, not even my brother. They all thought I was studying the basics—enough to sound impressive at dinner parties but nothing actually useful. I pretended that I couldn't understand anything serious."

"But you do?"

"I found the right teachers," I say carefully. "People who understand that cybersecurity isn't just about defense. You can't truly protect systems unless you know how to break into them."

Alessio studies me with new interest, his gaze more penetrating than before. "So Antonio Lombardi's perfect princess daughter has been living a double life."

"Not a double life," I correct him. "Just with parts of myself I kept private. We all have secrets."

I swallow hard, watching Alessio's face as he processes what I've told him. His expression gives away nothing—a skill that must serve him well in his line of work. The silence stretches between us, racked with tension.

"What was your plan?" he finally asks. "After you’d escaped with this." He holds up the crypto wallet.

"I would have gone somewhere safe to decrypt the rest of the files," I explain. "Then anonymously release everything to multiple law enforcement agencies and news outlets simultaneously. So many that they couldn't all be silenced."

Alessio stares at the USB as he considers this.

"I've answered all your questions," I say, straightening my spine. "Now it's time for you to give me back that device."

His eyes meet mine, something dangerous flickering in their depths. He holds up the crypto wallet between his thumb and forefinger, dangling it like bait.

"Come and get it," he says, his tone a challenge.

I hesitate for only a second before lunging forward in a swift motion. My fingers stretch for the device but Alessio raises his arm high above his head. My momentum carries me forward until I crash against his chest, the solid wall of him not budging an inch from the impact.

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