Chapter 4 - The Betrayal
The heavy armored SUV tore through the rain-slicked streets of Manhattan.
Vincent stared at the glowing tablet screen, the reality of Mave’s words sinking in.
He had been betrayed by someone inside his inner circle.
“Who authorized the payment?” Vincent demanded, his voice cold and lethal.
Mave scrolled through the encrypted transaction logs.
“The digital signature belongs to Marcus,” Mave said quietly.
Marcus.
Vincent’s oldest friend and his most trusted advisor.
The man who had stood by his side when his father died and the syndicate was in absolute chaos.
Leo cursed violently from the driver’s seat.
“Marcus is the one who insisted we use that specific security firm,” Leo growled, swerving to avoid a stopped taxi.
“He told me they were clean.”
Vincent leaned back against the leather seat, closing his eyes.
The exhaustion he had shown in the office earlier had completely vanished, replaced by a terrifying, focused rage.
“Change course, Leo,” Vincent ordered.
“We’re not going to the safe house.”
“Take us to the Jersey docks.”
Mave felt a cold spike of panic.
“The docks?” Mave asked. “Dante just told you the Queens port belongs to the Rossi family now.”
“If we go to the Jersey docks, we’re cornered.”
Vincent opened his eyes and looked at her.
“We aren't hiding, Mave.”
“We’re going to the secondary warehouse because that is where the weapons are stored.”
“And that is where Marcus is waiting for the shipment tonight.”
They arrived at the massive, rain-swept industrial complex thirty minutes later.
The docks were completely deserted, save for a few cargo ships groaning against the moorings in the storm.
Leo parked the SUV in the shadows of a massive steel crane.
“Stay in the car,” Vincent told Mave, checking his weapon one final time.
“Leo, you stay with her.”
“If I’m not back in twenty minutes, take her to the secondary safe house in Connecticut and do not stop for anything.”
Mave grabbed his arm before he could open the door.
“Vincent, you can't just walk in there alone.”
“If Marcus betrayed you, he won't be alone.”
Vincent placed his warm hand over hers, gently removing it from his sleeve.
“I know.”
He stepped out of the vehicle and disappeared into the torrential rain.
Mave sat in the backseat, watching the dark warehouse doors.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
The silence was agonizing.
“He shouldn't have gone in alone,” Mave whispered, twisting her fingers together nervously.
Leo kept his eyes glued to the rearview mirror, his hand resting on his holstered gun.
“The boss knows what he’s doing, Mave.”
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Suddenly, the deafening roar of a massive explosion shattered the night.
A fireball erupted from the roof of the secondary warehouse, sending shards of burning metal flying into the dark sky.
