Chapter 5 - The Man Who Wanted His Property Back
Samuel Trent wasn't stealing for himself.
He was stealing for Moretti.
Claire discovered the transfer trail two days later.
Damian read the report.
"You're certain?"
"Completely."
"Then we have a bigger problem."
Claire looked at him.
"Moretti knows I'm here."
Damian didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Blackstone Terminal locked down before sunset.
Vehicles blocked the entrances.
Damian's men took positions throughout the building.
Claire found him loading a pistol in his office.
"You're expecting war?"
"I'm expecting stupidity."
"That's comforting."
"Go upstairs."
"No."
"Claire."
"I'm the reason they're coming."
"You're the excuse they're using."
He stepped closer.
"This isn't your fight."
She stared at him.
"Stop deciding what my fights are."
His jaw tightened.
Then a crash echoed downstairs.
Glass shattered.
Damian turned.
Claire's breath stopped.
Three men had entered through the eastern platform.
Moretti's voice carried through the terminal.
"Voss!"
Damian pushed Claire behind the office wall.
"Stay here."
"Damian—"
"Please."
That word stopped her.
Not an order.
A plea.
Damian descended the stairs.
Marco Moretti waited below.
He wore a camel-colored coat and carried a black umbrella despite being indoors.
"Beautiful place," Marco said.
"You broke my window."
"Send me the bill."
"I intend to."
Marco smiled.
"Give me the girl."
"No."
"Her father pledged her."
"Her father doesn't own her."
"He signed."
"So did mine when I was eight. Doesn't mean I became a Buick."
Marco's smile vanished.
"You want blood over some waitress?"
Damian's voice remained calm.
"No."
He looked around.
"I want you out of my station."
Marco stepped closer.
"She's worth eighty-six thousand."
A voice came from above.
"No, I'm not."
Claire descended the staircase.
Damian looked furious.
"Claire."
She ignored him.
Marco smiled.
"There she is."
Claire carried a folder.
"You want Patrick's debt?"
"Among other things."
"Then you're going to be disappointed."
She tossed the folder onto a table.
"Samuel Trent transferred six hundred and twelve thousand dollars from Voss Freight into three shell companies controlled by you."
Marco's face changed.
Claire continued.
"I copied everything."
"You little—"
"And sent it to three attorneys."
Lie.
Mostly.
But Marco didn't know that.
"If anything happens to me or Damian, those records become very inconvenient."
Damian slowly looked at her.
Marco stared for several seconds.
Then smiled without humor.
"You're learning from him."
Claire shook her head.
"No."
She looked toward Damian.
"He's learning from me."
Marco left.
No shots.
No bodies.
May you like
Just an enemy who suddenly understood that Claire Donovan was no longer collateral.
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