Chapter 10 - The Unfinished Business
I wiped the blue paint off my hands and walked down the hallway to answer the front door.
I expected to see a delivery driver dropping off the new crib we had ordered.
Instead, the front porch was completely empty, save for a small, unmarked black box resting on the welcome mat.
I looked around the quiet suburban street, but there was no sign of anyone walking away.
A strange, cold feeling crept up my spine as I picked up the heavy little box.
I carried it into the kitchen and carefully lifted the velvet lid.
Inside rested a single, polished silver bullet and a folded piece of thick, expensive stationary.
I unfolded the paper with trembling fingers.
The handwritten note was short, elegant, and completely terrifying.
"Marcus was merely an employee, Charles. You stole forty million dollars from my family, and I always collect my debts."
I stared at the chilling words, realizing the cartel boss hadn't been arrested with the rest of the syndicate.
Sarah walked into the kitchen, smiling brightly and rubbing her small, pregnant belly.
"Who was at the door, honey?" she asked cheerfully.
I quickly crumpled the note and hid the silver bullet deep inside my pocket.
"Just a misdelivered package," I lied smoothly, forcing a warm smile onto my face.
I walked over and kissed her gently, feeling the overwhelming need to protect her happiness at any cost.
We had survived the absolute worst, and our family was finally whole and thriving in Chicago.
The nightmare was officially over, and we were truly living our happy ending.
But as I hugged Sarah tight, my phone buzzed in my pocket with a text from an unknown number.
May you like
It was a live photograph of my house, taken from the dark street just seconds ago.
And the message beneath the photo read: "I am watching you."
