Chapter 3 - Playing the Ghost
By 4:00 AM, the estate was dark and quiet.
Inside Mateo’s room, the hidden cameras were still running, but Dominic had altered the feed. On the monitors in the security office, a looped video played—showing Mateo sleeping peacefully, untouched, while a standard nurse sat in the corner reading a magazine.
In reality, Dominic, Evelyn, and Mateo were running their third hour of communication.
Using the alphabet grid, Mateo had spelled out vital details.
V-I-N-C-E-N-T H-A-S A S-A-F-E I-N T-H-E C-L-U-B
"The Red Velvet Lounge," Dominic translated, standing at the foot of the bed. "His private office upstairs. What's in the safe, Mateo?"
L-E-D-G-E-R-S B-L-A-C-K-W-O-O-D P-A-Y-O-F-F-S
"If we get those ledgers," Evelyn realized, looking up from her notebook, "we don't just catch Vincent. We can destroy Roland Blackwood’s entire financial network."
"Yes," Dominic said, a lethal smile touching his lips. "But Vincent is careful. He changes the safe combination every forty-eight hours. The only way to open it without setting off the silent alarm is during business hours, when the security system is disarmed for cash deliveries."
"When is the next cash delivery?" Evelyn asked.
"Tomorrow night," Dominic replied. "Friday. The club will be packed. Vincent will be hosting Blackwood’s representatives in the VIP lounge."
Mateo blinked twice rapidly, signalling for attention.
Evelyn pointed to the grid. D-O-N-T G-O A-L-O-N-E
"I won't be alone, brother," Dominic reassured him, leaning over to touch Mateo’s shoulder. "I'm taking our best tactical squad. But Vincent can't know I suspect him yet. He has to think everything is normal."
Suddenly, the heavy heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway outside.
Dominic’s reaction was instantaneous. He grabbed Evelyn by the waist, pulled her behind the heavy velvet window curtains, and pressed his body against hers, shielding her completely in the dark recess.
Evelyn’s heart hammered against her ribs. Dominic was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his chest, smell the scent of cedarwood and high-end tobacco on his skin. His arm was wrapped securely around her waist, his large hand resting against the curve of her hip.
The bedroom door opened.
Vincent Hale stepped into the room, holding a glass of bourbon. He looked around the dimly lit space, his sharp eyes scanning the bed. He walked up to Mateo, staring down at the paralyzed man with a cold, disgusted sneer.
"Still breathing, huh, Mateo?" Vincent muttered quietly to himself, leaning over the bed. "You always were the lucky twin. But don't worry. Once I finish off Dominic tomorrow night, I'll make sure your plug gets pulled real quiet."
Behind the curtain, Evelyn felt Dominic’s body go rigid as iron. His fingers dug into her hip so hard it bruised, his pulse racing with murderous rage. She reached up, gently placing her hand over his heart, silently pleading with him to stay still.
Dominic looked down at her in the shadows. Seeing her hazel eyes filled with trust and concern, he forced his body to relax, breathing in her soft scent to stay grounded.
Vincent spat on the floor beside Mateo’s bed, turned on his heel, and walked out, shutting the door behind him.
When the latch clicked, Dominic pulled back the curtain. He stepped out, his face pale with fury.
Evelyn stepped beside him, grabbing his arm. "Dominic, look at Mateo!"
Dominic turned.
Mateo was staring at the door, his eyes wide, his chest heaving as his pulse monitor beeped rapidly.
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K-I-L-L H-I-M Mateo spelled out with frantic blinks. K-I-L-L H-I-M
Dominic walked over, putting his hands on his brother's shoulders. "I will, Mateo. I give you my word as a Moretti. Tomorrow night, Vincent pays for everything."
