Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
The video feed burned into Dominic’s eyes like battery acid.
He lowered his rifle, the cold metal suddenly feeling incredibly heavy in his hands.
Marco was positioned thirty yards away on the opposite catwalk, entirely unaware that his family was currently staring down the barrels of Caldwell’s guns.
If Dominic shot Vincent now, Marco’s wife and children would be executed instantly.
Caldwell laughed from the factory floor below, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed through the vast, empty space.
"I see you received my message, Dominic," Caldwell yelled, leaning heavily on his silver cane.
"You really thought a tracker was the only insurance policy I had?"
Dominic keyed his radio, keeping his voice a low, steady whisper so Marco couldn't hear.
"What do you want, Vincent?"
"I want the rat," Caldwell sneered, gesturing toward the suspended concrete office where Evangeline was hiding.
"Send her down, and I call off the men at Marco's house. You have exactly sixty seconds to decide."
Dominic looked toward the small office window.
He could see Evangeline's terrified silhouette pressed against the glass.
She had heard everything.
She knew she was the only bargaining chip that could save an innocent family.
"Dom, what's going on?" Marco's confused voice crackled over the radio. "Why aren't we firing?"
Dominic closed his eyes, the brutal reality of his world crashing down on him.
He was a mafia boss.
His primary duty was to his men and their families, not to the battered sister of his enemy.
He keyed the mic again.
"Stand down, Marco. Do not engage."
Before Marco could argue, the door to the suspended office slowly opened.
Evangeline stepped out onto the rusted catwalk, her hands raised in surrender.
She looked small, bruised, and incredibly fragile against the brutal industrial backdrop.
But she didn't look at her brother.
She looked directly across the warehouse at Dominic's hidden position in the shadows.
Her lips moved, mouthing two silent words before she turned away.
I understand.
She began the long, agonizing walk down the metal stairs toward the factory floor.
Caldwell smiled, a chilling expression of absolute victory, as his men rushed forward to grab her.
Dominic watched them drag her toward the armored trucks, self-hatred twisting violently in his gut.
He had saved Marco's family, but he had just handed Evangeline back to the monster who had chained her to a pillar.
As the trucks peeled out of the warehouse, Marco sprinted across the catwalk to Dominic's position.
"Why did you let them take her?" Marco demanded, furious.
Dominic silently handed him the phone with the still image of his captive family.
Marco stared at the screen, all the color instantly draining from his face as his knees buckled.
"They're safe now," Dominic promised, grabbing his enforcer by the shoulder.
"But we aren't done."
Dominic turned toward the exit, his eyes completely black with murderous intent.
"Call the entire crew, Marco. We are going to burn Caldwell's empire to the ground tonight."
As they ran toward a backup vehicle, Dominic's phone suddenly rang again.
It wasn't a video this time. It was a voice call.
He answered it, expecting Caldwell to gloat.
Instead, a familiar, raspy voice whispered through the speaker.
May you like
"Dominic," Evangeline gasped, her voice barely audible over the sound of a rushing engine.
"The tracker wasn't on me. I slipped it into Vincent's jacket pocket before they dragged me away."
