Chapter 26 - TEARING UP THE CONTRACT
The silence in the penthouse suite stretched for several agonizing seconds. The wind howled against the reinforced glass of the skyscraper, rattling the heavy frames.
Evelyn looked down at the federal indictment drafts. Her fingers traced the edge of the crisp paper. Then, slowly, a cold, wry smile touched the corners of her lips. She looked up at Yuri, her gaze steady and unyielding.
"You brought me federal indictments," Evelyn said, her voice impossibly calm.
"I brought you a lifeline," Yuri corrected smoothly.
"You brought me kindling," Evelyn retorted.
Without breaking eye contact, Evelyn took the leather folder, folded the documents in half with a crisp crease, and then tore them directly down the middle. She repeated the action twice more until the federal indictments were reduced to a pile of expensive confetti. She let the pieces flutter slowly onto the mahogany table.
Yuri’s polite smile vanished instantly. His blue eyes flashed with dangerous ice. "You are making a grave mistake, Mrs. Moretti. Viktor Kravchenko does not negotiate a second time."
"Tell Viktor that when he sends his men to my rail yards, they leave in body bags," Evelyn stood up, towering over the table with absolute, regal authority. "And tell him that Cicero belongs to Chicago, and Chicago belongs to us. You have twenty-four hours to pull every operative, every shell company, and every asset out of the Midwest. If you are still in this city by tomorrow night, I won't just burn your stash houses. I will hunt you down myself."
Yuri stared at her for a long, heavy moment, realizing that intimidation was entirely useless against this woman. He turned on his heel, adjusting his cuffs with cold disdain. "You've signed your own death warrant," he muttered, walking briskly toward the elevator.
As the doors closed behind him, Lorenzo pulled Evelyn close, pressing a kiss into her hair. "You just declared war on the most ruthless syndicate in Eastern Europe."
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"I declared war on anyone who thinks they can step foot in my house," Evelyn replied, her eyes burning with resolve. "Now, let's call our contacts in federal logistics. It's time to return the favor."
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