Chapter 9 - the fall of the councilman
The rain-soaked courtyard of the Rossi estate erupted into a warzone as Richard Vane’s breaching charge detonated against the heavy iron gates, blowing the metal doors off their hinges in a cloud of fire and smoke.
Armored vehicles tore onto the paved driveway, mercenaries pouring out with automatic weapons blazing.
Standing alone on the grand stone porch, unbothered by the rain soaking his black suit shirt, was Damiano Rossi.
He moved through the fire with lethal, terrifying precision. Firing controlled bursts, he took down four advancing mercenaries before they could reach the fountain stairs, his towering frame an unstoppable force of nature.
Marco emerged from the side flank with six elite Rossi enforcers, opening heavy crossfire that pinned Richard Vane’s strike force against their armored vehicles.
Richard Vane panicked. Seeing his mercenaries falling one by one, he grabbed a grenade from his vest and sprinted toward the side entrance leading to the subterranean garage.
Damiano spotted him instantly. "Marco! Hold the porch!"
Damiano sprinted down the stone steps, closing the distance in long, powerful strides.
Richard Vane reached the subterranean garage entrance, kicking the metal door open, but before he could toss the grenade inside, a massive hand grabbed him by his neck from behind.
Damiano lifted Richard off his feet, slamming him violently against the concrete wall.
The grenade clattered from Richard's hand, rolling harmlessly down the drainage grate into the sewer below.
Richard gasped for air, his hands clawing at Damiano’s iron grip as he stared into the cold, terrifying blue-gray eyes of the Chicago crime lord.
"Damiano... please!" Richard choked out, tears mixing with the rain on his face. "It was Sterling's idea! He promised me twenty percent of the trust!"
"You brought war to my home," Damiano growled, his voice vibrating with absolute, unholy rage. "You threatened a three-week-old child."
Damiano delivered a single, brutal right hook that shattered Richard's jaw, knocking the traitor out cold onto the wet concrete.
Within ten minutes, the remaining mercenaries surrendered to Marco’s team. Federal marshals and Chicago police cruisers flooded the estate drive, their red and blue strobe lights flashing against the wet stone walls.
Federal Agent Sarah Miller stepped out of the lead cruiser, holding official arrest warrants for Victor Vane, Richard Vane, and their corporate associates.
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"We have full digital access to the Vanguard Holdings accounts, Mr. Rossi," Agent Miller reported, looking at the captured mercenaries. "This entire network is going down."
Damiano wiped rain from his face, looking up at the morning sky as the nightmare that had haunted his family for months finally crumbled into justice.
