Chapter 49 - The Weight of the Past
Back inside the secure perimeter of the estate, the glowing digital clock on the control room desk read 1:15 AM.
Damien Moretti stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his private library, holding a crystal glass of amber bourbon. He hadn't turned on the overhead lights; the room was illuminated only by the pale, ethereal glow of the moon reflecting off Lake Michigan.
Vincent and Maya stood a few paces away, recounting every word of their midnight encounter with Arthur Vance.
“He’s setting a trap, Boss,” Vincent said firmly, his face tight with concern. “A midnight meeting at an abandoned boathouse? It screams federal ambush or a rival hit squad waiting to capitalize on a solo target.”
“It’s not an ambush,” Damien said quietly, his voice dangerously calm. He took a slow sip of his drink, his dark eyes fixed on the rolling waves outside. “Vance operates by the book—even when he’s bending the rules, he’s too arrogant to risk a messy extrajudicial hit. He wants a confession. He wants to prove to himself—and to the Department of Justice—that I never changed.”
“Then don't go,” Maya urged softly, stepping forward. “You have a family now, Damien. You have Ellie, you have Noah, you have a life that thousands of enemies tried to destroy. Why risk walking into his game?”
Damien turned away from the window, setting his glass down on the mahogany desk with a soft clink. He looked at them—his most loyal soldiers, his truest friends—and the fierce, protective authority that had once ruled an empire settled over his features.
“Because if I don't go, Vance won't stop,” Damien said quietly. “He will crawl through every hospital foundation, every school board, and every legal loophole until he finds a crack big enough to drag Ellie and Noah into the crossfire. I spent years building a fortress to keep the war outside our gates. Sometimes, to protect your home, you have to walk out and meet the monster on the road.”
May you like
Vincent straightened, his shoulders squaring automatically. “Then I’m coming with you. We secure the perimeter of the boathouse before you step inside.”
“No,” Damien shook his head. “If Vance sees a tactical team, he backs off and escalates through the courts with double the force. I’ll go alone.”
