Chapter 9
The harsh, industrial light of the holding cell illuminated the total, devastating surrender of the Drake matriarch. Opal sat shivering on the metal bench, tears streaking her powdered face, the illusion of her aristocratic superiority entirely broken by the sheer, unadulterated terror radiating from Selene Caruso.
"His name... his name is Victor Rossi," Opal stammered, her voice shaking so violently her American accent cracked. "He operates out of the import/export offices near the Navy Yard. He’s the Chicago outfit's primary liaison in the city."
Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly, processing the name. Victor Rossi was a known associate, but he had always presented himself as a neutral broker. The realization that Chicago had successfully planted a high-level operative right under her nose sparked a cold, calculated fury in her chest.
"How long have you been communicating with him?" Selene demanded, her voice a low, vibrating hum of lethal intent.
"Six months," Opal wept, burying her face in her hands. "We were bankrupt, Selene. Troy’s investments failed. We were going to lose the estate. Rossi approached us. He said if Troy married you and secured a position on the council, they would clear our debts and give us a percentage of the shipping routes. I swear to God, we didn't want to hurt you. We just needed the money."
"You needed money, so you attempted to blackmail me with my son's adoption records," Selene stated, the absolute disgust in her tone making Keira flinch on the bench. "Where did Rossi get the file?"
"He said... he said he bought it from someone inside the family," Opal revealed, looking up with wide, terrified eyes. "A clerk at the family attorney's office. He paid fifty thousand dollars for the sealed documents."
The betrayal from within stung, but it was a loose end that could be easily severed. Selene had the information she needed. She knew the target, and she knew the leak.
"Please, Selene," Troy begged from Marcus's grip, his swollen face pathetic in the harsh light. "You have the name. Let us go. We will leave the state. We will disappear. You'll never see us again."
Selene slowly turned her head to look at the man she had almost married. The handsome, arrogant facade was completely gone, leaving only a weak, cowardly opportunist.
"You will disappear," Selene agreed softly.
She turned her back on them and walked toward the heavy steel door.
"Lock them down," Selene commanded Marcus as she stepped out into the corridor. "No one speaks to them. We deal with them after the war is over."
"Yes, Boss," Marcus nodded, shoving Troy back onto the bench before slamming the heavy door shut. The metallic clack of the deadbolts echoed loudly, sealing the Drakes in their dark, isolated tomb.
Selene walked briskly down the corridor, her mind operating at terrifying, strategic speeds. She pulled her encrypted smartphone from her pocket and dialed a secure number.
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"Gather the strike teams," Selene ordered as soon as the line connected. Her voice was sharp, commanding, and absolutely ruthless. "We have a target. Victor Rossi at the Navy Yard. I want the building surrounded by midnight. No one gets out. We are sending Chicago a message they will never forget."
She ended the call and stepped into the elevator, the bright, cinematic light washing over her flawless, intimidating features as she ascended back to the main estate. She had protected her son, and now, she was going to burn the enemies who had dared to threaten him.
