Chapter 9 - betrayal in the shadows
Dominic sprinted through the subterranean corridors of the Vescari tower like a phantom, his black overcoat flying behind him, his heavy sidearm held at his side.
Vincent trailed two paces behind him, pulling his own weapon, his loyalty suddenly shifting back to Dominic out of sheer terror and self-preservation.
"They're taking the service elevator to the subterranean river docks beneath the building!" Vincent yelled over the sound of blaring sirens.
They burst through the heavy fire doors leading to the underground docklands where the Chicago River flowed beneath the concrete foundations of the city.
A sleek black speed boat was idling beside the concrete pier.
Standing on the deck was Julian Bellini, wearing a tailored navy coat, holding a silenced submachine gun. Two armed mercenaries were forcing a weeping Claire and a terrified Lily onto the rear seating area.
"Dominic!" Claire screamed, clutching Lily tightly against her chest as she saw him step out onto the pier.
Lily looked up, her blue eyes wide with tears, clutching her brown stuffed rabbit. "Mr. Dominic!"
"Drop your weapons, Dominic!" Julian shouted, aiming his weapon directly at Claire's head. "Or I end my sister right here!"
Dominic stopped twenty feet away on the concrete pier. His broad frame was completely still, his grey-blue eyes locked onto Julian with lethal focus.
"Julian," Dominic said, his deep voice cutting through the roar of the boat engine. "Put the gun down."
"You lost, Vescari!" Julian sneered, stepping toward the throttle console. "The docks are mine! The European charter is mine! And your little bastard girl is coming to Europe to sign the trust transfer when she turns seven!"
Beside Dominic, Vincent stepped forward slowly, raising his weapon toward Julian. "Julian... you broke our deal."
"Our deal died seven years ago, Vincent!" Julian laughed, pulling the throttle lever back.
Before the boat could accelerate away from the pier, Dominic raised his left hand and pressed a remote button on his wristwatch.
A massive steel drop-gate plummeted from the concrete ceiling of the river tunnel, crashing into the water with a thunderous splash, completely blocking the boat's exit to the Chicago River!
The speed boat slammed into the steel gate, its engine stalling out in a cloud of thick white steam!
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"Now!" Dominic barked.
Vincent lunged sideways, taking down the lead mercenary on the pier with two precise shots, while Dominic charged onto the deck of the boat with terrifying speed.
