Chapter 8 - The Syndicate Council
I lay flat in the dark basement, letting Sarah's venomous words sink deep into my soul.
Tyler had literally sold my life to my best friend for money.
Mr. Cross helped me to my feet in the dim, red emergency lighting.
"Are you injured?" he asked quietly, checking me for bullet wounds.
"I want to kill every single one of them," I answered, my voice totally devoid of emotion.
Mr. Cross smiled a dark, dangerous smile that finally matched my own anger.
"Then let's go see the Council and finish this."
He led me through a massive maze of underground utility tunnels until we reached an old subway maintenance hub.
A heavily armored transport vehicle was waiting there with the engine running.
We drove for over an hour until we reached an abandoned Gothic cathedral located just outside the city limits.
This was the highly classified headquarters of the High Syndicate Council.
We walked proudly into the massive, candlelit sanctuary.
Twelve incredibly powerful men and women sat at a long mahogany table.
They controlled the city's entire criminal underworld from the shadows.
The leader, an elderly man with cold gray eyes, looked down at us with deep suspicion.
"Dominic Cross," the leader said, his voice echoing in the empty church.
"You dare bring a civilian outsider into our sacred sanctuary."
"She is William Vance's daughter," Mr. Cross announced loudly to the room.
The entire council began whispering amongst themselves in sheer shock.
My father's name clearly commanded immense respect and fear in this dark room.
"I have the master ledgers," I said, stepping forward with the backup flash drive I had secretly kept from the vault.
"I will transfer the fifty million dollars to the Council tonight."
"In exchange, I want Tyler, Karin, and Sarah delivered to me alive."
The gray-eyed leader steepled his fingers, considering my offer.
"That is a very bold request for a civilian to make."
"We will grant you the prisoners and our full, unyielding protection."
The leader paused, a cruel glint flashing in his eye.
"But a bloodline alliance must be officially sealed to validate this financial transfer."
I frowned, not understanding the archaic mafia terminology.
"What does that mean?" I asked, looking between the men.
Mr. Cross looked at me with an incredibly solemn expression on his face.
"It means they will only protect you if you become an official, legal member of the family."
May you like
The leader nodded slowly, confirming the brutal condition.
"You must marry Dominic Cross before midnight tonight."
