Chapter 13 - The Wolf of Wall Street
Chicago General Hospital had completely shut down its entire VIP wing, guarded heavily by federal agents and Moretti loyalists.
Annie stood by the large glass window of the private recovery suite, looking out at the city lights. Behind her, Daniel was resting comfortably, the bullet wound in his shoulder properly stitched and bandaged. It was a close call, but his life was never in true danger.
Agent Miller walked into the room, holding a thick manila folder. He looked older, tired, and deeply frustrated.
We ran the fingerprints on the assassin you knocked out at the gala, Miller said, tossing the folder onto the small glass coffee table. He is not local. He is a ghost. Ex-military, dishonorably discharged, heavily tied to a private security firm operating out of Manhattan.
Annie turned away from the window, her dark eyes sharp and analytical.
Manhattan, Annie repeated softly. Marcus has no ties to New York. He spent his entire life living in my grandfather's shadow in Chicago. Who is backing him?
Miller sighed, running a hand over his face. Have you ever heard of Victor Vance?
Daniel, who had been listening with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. The heart monitor beside his bed beeped slightly faster.
Victor Vance is not a mobster, Daniel said, his voice raspy but firm. He is a billionaire hedge fund manager. He buys distressed shipping companies and liquidates them for parts. He operates in the grey areas of the law, but he has never been tied to violent crime.
He is now, Miller countered. We have been tracking Vance's shadow accounts for a year. He has been trying to establish a massive smuggling route for illegal weapons through the Great Lakes. But your legitimate shipping empire controls all the prime real estate on the Chicago docks.
Annie understood instantly. The pieces of the puzzle clicked together in her brilliant mind.
Vance cannot buy us out because we are not for sale, Annie deduced. And he cannot intimidate us because my grandfather went legitimate and insulated the company with federal oversight.
Exactly, Miller nodded. So Vance found the one man who hates you enough to burn it all down. He broke Marcus out of prison to launch a hostile takeover. If Daniel dies, and you are removed from the board, Marcus—as the only surviving blood relative—could contest the corporate inheritance.
He would turn the company back into a crime syndicate and give Vance the shipping lanes, Daniel finished, his jaw clenched in anger.
Miller looked at Annie with a grave, apologetic expression. We cannot arrest Vance. He is entirely insulated. He uses offshore accounts and burner proxies. Legally, the man is untouchable. And Marcus is a ghost, hiding in Vance's deep pockets.
Annie looked down at her hands. They were still slightly bruised from hitting the assassin.
She realized then that corporate law, federal agents, and legitimate business tactics were useless against a monster like Victor Vance.
You cannot fight a ghost with a subpoena, Annie said quietly.
Miller frowned. What does that mean?
Annie turned to Silas, who was standing quietly in the corner of the room, his arms crossed over his massive chest.
Silas, Annie said, her voice dropping an octave, carrying the exact same commanding cadence as her grandfather. The men who used to run the streets for my grandfather. The capos who went underground when we went legitimate. Are they still loyal to the Moretti name?
Silas’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but a deep, proud spark ignited in his gaze.
They remember the King, Silas answered simply. They would answer the call.
Daniel sat up straight, wincing in pain. Annie, no. We left that life behind for a reason. I will not let you drag yourself into the darkness. I built this clean empire for you!
Annie walked over to the bed and gently took Daniel’s good hand.
You built a clean empire, Grandpa. And I love it, Annie said softly, kissing his knuckles. But Marcus and Vance do not play by clean rules. They think because we wear suits and pay taxes, we have forgotten how to bite.
May you like
She stood up tall, reaching under her collar to pull out the heavy silver coin on the chain. The roaring lion glinted under the harsh hospital lights.
I am not going into the darkness, Grandpa, Annie said fiercely. I am going to bring the darkness out into the light, and I am going to make them choke on it.
