Chapter 12 - The Calm Before the Storm
Dawn broke over the misty countryside, painting the horizon in bruised shades of purple and grey as the diner began to stir with the faint sounds of morning prep. Moretti stood by the jukebox, reviewing the contents of Jax’s flash drive on a ruggedized terminal, marveling at the sheer scale of the financial paper trail implicating Elena. Jax was outside tuning the engine of his chopper, ensuring every bolt and chain was battle-ready for the impending assault on the downtown corporate skyscraper. The little girl slept soundly in the back booth, wrapped in an oversized plaid jacket, her breathing slow and peaceful after days of relentless terror. Moretti walked over, gently brushing a curl of hair from her forehead, promising silently that she would never have to run again once this nightmarish chapter was closed. Suddenly, the television mounted above the counter flickered, broadcasting an emergency news flash announcing that Elena had taken over the corporate board and declared Moretti a fugitive wanted for corporate espionage.
