Chapter 9 - THE LION'S DEN
Donato Moretti’s private social club in downtown Chicago occupied an entire five-story brownstone building.
Outwardly, it was an exclusive cigar lounge for elite businessmen and politicians.
Inwardly, it was the nerve center of the entire Chicago syndicate.
Midnight had just passed when our armored SUV pulled up to the service alley behind the building.
Gabriel cut the engine, turning around to face us in the dim interior light.
“Elena, take the kids and Rachel through the back freight elevator to the armored vault on the third floor,” Gabriel instructed. “It's completely soundproof and impenetrable from the outside.”
“What about you, Gabe?” Elena demanded. “You can't take on Donato and forty armed guards by yourself!”
“I'm not going alone,” a deep voice ranted from the shadows of the alley.
The side door of the alley swung open.
Out stepped three dozen armed men wearing dark tactical vests bearing the Moretti crest.
They were Daniel’s former loyalists—men who had secretly despised Donato’s corrupt rule and had been waiting for Gabriel to take a stand.
Their leader, a scarred veteran named Vince, stepped forward and nodded respectfully to Gabriel.
“We heard the mansion burned down, boss,” Vince said, spitting a toothpick onto the wet pavement. “We're with you. To the end.”
Gabriel nodded grimly.
“Let's take our family back.”
I stepped out of the SUV, refusing to stay behind in the vault.
Gabriel grabbed my arm, his face etched with frustration.
“Rachel, no. It's too dangerous inside.”
“My husband died because of Donato,” I said, my voice ringing with absolute finality. “I am walking through those doors with you, Gabriel. Try and stop me.”
Gabriel stared at me for a long moment, seeing the unbreakable steel in my eyes.
He finally let out a defeated sigh and handed me a tactical vest.
May you like
“Fine. But you stay within arm's reach of me every single second.”
We marched into the service entrance, guns drawn, ready to wage war.
