Chapter 16 - The Trojan Horse
Elena sat handcuffed to the metal chair in the center of the interrogation room.
Her immaculate business suit was wrinkled, and mascara ran in dark streams down her terrified face.
Dorian did not yell.
He did not hit her.
He simply stood in the shadows of the sub-basement, letting the crushing silence break her nerves.
Marin stood safely behind the reinforced two-way glass, watching the woman who had smiled at her every morning while plotting her murder.
"They have my sister, Mr. Vance," Elena finally sobbed, unable to take the silence anymore.
"Thorne’s men took her two weeks ago."
"They said if I didn't get them into the gala, they would send her back to me in pieces."
"I am so sorry."
Dorian stepped out of the shadows, his face an impenetrable mask of stone.
"Where is Elias Thorne right now?" Dorian asked quietly.
Elena shook her head frantically.
"I don't know!"
"He never met with me personally!"
"He only communicates through burner phones."
"But he was supposed to call me tonight to confirm the hit was successful."
Dorian walked over to the metal table and picked up Elena’s confiscated mobile phone.
"Unlock it," he commanded.
Elena leaned forward, her trembling hands entering the passcode.
Dorian looked at the screen.
There was a single contact saved under a false name.
He didn't dial the number.
He turned to the two-way glass, knowing Marin was listening on the other side.
He walked out of the interrogation room and entered the observation deck.
"We can use her phone to track his signal," Marin suggested immediately, already pulling up the tracking software.
"No," Dorian replied, shaking his head.
"Thorne is paranoid."
"If he doesn't hear from Elena, he will burn the phone and disappear."
"We have to give him exactly what he expects."
Marin looked at Dorian, her eyes widening as she realized his plan.
"You are going to use her as bait," she said softly.
"I am going to use her phone to arrange a meeting," Dorian corrected.
He typed a quick, encrypted message on Elena's phone and hit send.
The target is severely wounded. Vance is distracted. I need extraction immediately.
For three agonizing minutes, the room was silent.
Then, the phone buzzed in Dorian's hand.
Pier 44. Midnight. Come alone.
Dorian locked the phone and slid it into his pocket.
"He wants the territory," Dorian said, turning to Marcus who was standing by the door.
"He is waiting at the shipping yards because he wants to gloat before he kills the girl."
Dorian looked at Marin, his eyes burning with a fierce, protective fire.
"Stay here."
"Lock the doors."
"Do not let anyone in until I return."
Marin didn't argue this time.
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She knew this was no longer about finances or ledgers.
This was a war of kings, and only one of them could walk away.
