Chapter 14 - A Dangerous Game
The dispatch was a digital video file sent directly to Dominic’s private encrypted terminal. Dominic and Emily stood side by side in the study as the screen flickered to life. The video showed a live feed of the old abandoned rail yards on the outskirts of Lake Forest. Tied to a chair in the center of an empty warehouse was a man Dominic recognized immediately—Viktor, a former associate who had sworn allegiance to the Moretti family years ago.
Behind Viktor stood a tall figure cloaked in shadows, wearing a silver mask that caught the harsh fluorescent light.
“Good evening, Dominic,” a distorted voice echoed from the speakers. “Did you really think a syndicate as old and deep-rooted as Vane could be wiped out by a single fire? You took my throne, Dominic. Now I’m taking your peace. Come alone to the rail yards by midnight, or Viktor becomes the first of many.”
The screen went black.
Dominic’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. "It's Julian Vane," Dominic growled, the name dripping with venom. "I thought I killed him in the warehouse explosion."
"He's using Viktor as bait to draw you into an ambush," Emily said, her mind racing. "If you go alone, it's suicide. Even for you."
"I have no choice," Dominic said flatly. "If I don't go, innocent people die, and he keeps hunting my family."
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"Then we don't let him dictate the terms," Emily countered, her voice ringing with sudden, brilliant clarity. "Julian wants a trap? Let's spring it on our own terms. Marco has our men ready. We surround the rail yards before midnight. You walk in as the bait, but Julian walks into a firing squad."
Dominic looked at her, a mixture of awe and fierce pride washing over his features. "You are incredible," he whispered, pulling her into a brief, fierce embrace before turning to execute the plan.
