Chapter 16 - The Trade-Off
The tension inside the bunker was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"You can't give him your entire shipping network, Victor," Arthur argued, tracing tactical routes on a digital map.
"If the Cartel controls the East Coast, the FBI will crack down, and our legitimate businesses will crumble."
"I know," Victor replied, pacing the length of the room.
"But if I refuse, Mateo will hunt Harper for the rest of her life."
Harper walked over to the digital map, studying the shipping lanes.
"What if we give him a poisoned chalice?" she suggested, her eyes reflecting the glowing screen.
Victor stopped pacing, looking at her with a mix of surprise and pride.
"My firm upgraded the logistics software for Declan's ports before you took them over," Harper explained.
"I know the source code."
"If I can get into the main terminal during the handover, I can lock the entire system down."
"Mateo will inherit millions of dollars in shipments that he can never move."
Arthur smiled grimly. "A digital guillotine."
Victor stepped close to Harper, his expression serious.
"It requires you to be in the room with him, Harper."
"It requires you to face the devil."
"I'm not hiding anymore," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
Victor nodded, his respect for the woman standing before him multiplying tenfold.
May you like
"Set the meeting," Victor told Arthur.
"Tell Mateo we will trade the ports for the debt in Miami."
