Chapter 4 - The Warehouse Trap
Midnight.
Rain still fell over Chicago.
Marco Moretti entered the warehouse with six men.
He expected Rachel.
Instead, Adrian stepped from the shadows.
Marco stopped.
“Well.”
Adrian said nothing.
Marco smiled.
“I wondered how long she’d keep you hidden.”
“Where are the men who photographed my daughter?”
Marco shrugged.
“Working.”
Adrian’s voice became colder.
“They won’t be working tomorrow.”
Marco laughed.
“You always were dramatic.”
Adrian held up the silver key.
“Looking for this?”
Marco’s smile disappeared.
“Rachel gave it to you?”
“She gave me everything.”
Marco studied him.
“Did she tell you why she really left?”
“Yes.”
“And you believed her?”
Adrian stepped closer.
“I saw the bank records.”
For the first time, Marco lost confidence.
Adrian continued.
“Eleven offshore accounts.”
Marco said nothing.
“Payments to the men who planted the bomb.”
Still silence.
“Payments to Detective Harlan.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed.
Adrian smiled coldly.
“That one surprised you.”
Marco looked toward his men.
Victor’s voice sounded from the darkness.
“I wouldn’t.”
Additional Moretti guards appeared around the warehouse.
Marco realized he was surrounded.
He laughed once.
“You think this proves anything?”
“It proves enough.”
“Enough for what?”
Adrian stared at his brother.
“To remove you.”
Marco stepped forward.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your blood.”
Adrian’s expression didn’t change.
“So is Sophie.”
Marco’s face hardened.
“That child will destroy you.”
“No.”
“You’ve spent twenty years making sure nobody could threaten you. Now everyone knows you have a daughter.”
Adrian leaned closer.
“That was your mistake.”
“What?”
“You think loving someone makes me weaker.”
Marco looked around.
“Doesn’t it?”
Adrian shook his head.
“It gives me something worth ending this for.”
Marco’s expression shifted.
Adrian continued.
“No more bombings.”
“What?”
“No more street wars.”
Marco stared.
“No more businesses built on fear.”
“You’ve gone soft.”
“Maybe.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“But I’m still standing.”
Police sirens sounded outside.
Marco’s eyes widened.
“You called the police?”
Adrian glanced toward Victor.
Victor said, “Federal task force.”
Marco looked furious.
“You handed family business to the government?”
Adrian answered, “I handed them you.”
Marco moved suddenly.
Victor’s men restrained him before he got two steps.
Marco shouted, “You think Rachel will stay with you?”
Adrian turned away.
“She doesn’t have to.”
Marco laughed bitterly.
“That’s the best part.”
Adrian stopped.
“She’ll leave again.”
Adrian looked back.
“Then I’ll make sure she leaves safely.”
Marco’s smile faded.
Adrian walked toward the exit.
For the first time in his life, revenge wasn’t the thing he wanted most.
May you like
His daughter was waiting.
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