Chapter 6 - The Trap
The docks of Providence were shrouded in a thick, suffocating fog as midnight approached. The ocean crashed violently against the wooden pilings, masking the sound of footsteps.
Nathaniel had ordered Wren to stay at the estate under heavy guard, but Wren knew in her gut that something was terribly wrong. As soon as Nathaniel’s convoy left, she had convinced Mrs. Gable to help her check the security cameras—only to discover that the estate’s outer guard posts had been quietly abandoned. The guards had been bribed by Dominick.
Realizing Nathaniel was walking straight into an ambush, Wren had made a desperate choice. Utilizing her knowledge of the city's alleyways and accompanied by Brutus—who refused to leave her side—she took her old rust-bucket car from the estate garage and drove frantically toward the harbor.
Inside Warehouse 14, the air was cold and smelled of saltwater and rust.
Nathaniel stood alone in the center of the vast, cavernous space. Surrounding him were twelve members of the Moretti Council, their faces hardened by years of violence. Standing elevated on a catwalk above them was his uncle, Dominick Moretti, flanked by Julian and half a dozen heavily armed enforcers.
"You came alone, Nathaniel," Dominick sneered down from the catwalk, his voice echoing off the corrugated iron walls. "Foolish. Just like your father in his final days."
"I came to address the Council," Nathaniel said calmly, his hand resting casually inside his coat. "Where is the proof of treason you claimed to possess?"
"The proof is your inaction!" Dominick roared. "The Valenti family steals our shipments, and you offer them sit-downs! You waste time buying up dilapidated restaurants and shielding low-class hospital workers while our empire bleeds!"
Dominick raised a hand, signaling his men on the catwalk. Guns were drawn simultaneously, pointed directly at Nathaniel from all angles.
"The Council has voted, nephew," Dominick said with a dark smile. "You are relieved of your duties. Permanently."
"Wait!"
A sharp voice echoed through the warehouse. The heavy side entrance creaked open, and Wren stepped into the foggy interior, her hands raised, her eyes scanning the danger. Beside her, Brutus stood like a terrifying shadow, his chest broad, his lips curled back in a silent, deadly snarl.
Nathaniel’s heart dropped into his stomach. "Wren! No! Get out of here!"
"She's the girl from the restaurant," Julian muttered, pointing his rifle at her. "What is she doing here?"
Wren ignored the guns pointed at her, keeping her voice loud and clear so every Council member could hear. "Dominick is lying to you!" she yelled. "He isn't trying to save the family! He's been selling Moretti shipments to the Valenti family for the last six months!"
A sudden murmur broke out among the Council members. They turned to glare at Dominick.
"She's lying!" Dominick shouted, his composure slipping. "Shoot her!"
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"I have the shipping manifests!" Wren called out, holding up a thick ledger she had retrieved from the estate’s private safe with Mrs. Gable’s help. "Dominick set up the ambush on Nathaniel's dog three years ago to start a war, and he's using the Valenti family to execute his takeover!"
Dominick’s face twisted in rage. "Kill them all!"
