Chapter 5 - The Ransom’s Edge
The rain began falling over Chicago at 1:45 p.m.—a freezing autumn deluge that turned the streets into slick black mirrors.
We sat in the back of an unmarked black armored SUV parked two blocks from the Union Stockyards cold-storage facility. The smell of leather, gun oil, and wet wool filled the vehicle.
Beside me, Victor was checking his weapons in total silence. His dark coat was buttoned to his chin, hiding his tactical gear.
My heart was hammering against my ribs so hard I was afraid he could hear it. I had never held a weapon. I had spent my life teaching toddlers how to color inside the lines and fall asleep to lullabies. Now I was sitting beside a mafia don, preparing to storm a criminal compound.
“Harper,” Victor’s deep voice broke the silence.
I turned my head.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver object. It was a silver whistle attached to a thin steel chain.
“This belonged to my wife,” he said quietly, placing it in my hand. “Elena carried it when we moved through hostile territories before the war ended. If anything happens to me inside that building... if I tell you to run with Finn... you blow this. Marco’s snipers outside are trained to breach whatever room that sound comes from.”
I looked down at the cool silver in my palm. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Victor.”
He looked at me, his eyes dark with an emotion so raw it made my throat tight.
“If I die today, Harper, my estate, my legitimate assets, and guardianship of Finn go to you. My lawyers signed the paperwork thirty minutes ago.”
My jaw dropped. “What? Victor, no! You have family, you have business partners—”
“I have vultures,” he interrupted sharply. “You are the only person on this earth who loves my son for who he is, not for what his last name can buy. If I don't walk out of that building, you take Finn and you leave Chicago. Never look back.”
“Victor...” A tear slipped down my nose. “Don't talk like that.”
“I have spent two years living like a dead man, Harper,” he whispered, leaning closer to me until I could feel the heat of his breath against my skin. “Ever since Elena died, I thought my heart was buried in the ground with her. I was cold to Finn. I was cold to you. But sitting here today... knowing I might lose both of you... I realize I’m not dead.”
He took my hand, folding my fingers tightly over the silver whistle.
“I’m alive because of you,” he said.
Before I could answer, his comm earpiece buzzed.
“Boss,” Marco’s voice came through. “We’re in position at Pier 42. Luciano’s men have spotted our decoy vehicles. They think you’re five minutes away from the pier.”
“Good,” Victor said, his tone instantly shifting back to ice. “Execute the distraction.”
May you like
A second later, a muffled explosion boomed in the distance toward the riverfront, followed by the faint sound of police sirens.
“That’s our cue,” Victor said, sliding his dark glove on. “Let’s go get our boy.”
