Chapter 2 - Fractured Loyalties
The revelation hung in the air like poison. Damian stepped away from the bedside, his Italian leather shoes making no sound against the thick carpet. He closed the double doors behind him with agonizing gentleness, isolating Elena and his son in the reinforced sanctuary of the inner suite.
Out in the open lounge, the sprawling glass walls overlooked the city’s rain-soaked skyline. A bottle of bourbon sat unopened on the marble bar.
""Say it again,"" Damian said, stepping toward Mateo. ""And think very carefully before you speak.""
""Vance family crest,"" Mateo answered without flinching, pulling a mangled silver signet ring from his tactical pocket and placing it on the bar. The platinum eagle, inlaid with two tiny black diamonds, was unmistakable. ""Found it clenched in the driver's hand. The shooter didn’t belong to an outside cartel. He was a contractor on the payroll of Vance International Maritime.""
Damian didn't pick up the ring. He didn't need to. Only three such signets existed. One was on his own finger. One had been buried with his father five years ago.
The third belonged to his older brother, Julian.
May you like
A low vibration rattled the desk across the room. Damian walked over and tapped the screen of his burner phone. A secure message appeared: Brother. I hear the harbor was messy tonight. Let's have dinner before rumors start to spread.
Before Damian could process the message, a sudden sharp metallic click echoed from the terrace door behind them. The security sensor flashed crimson—the outer perimeter had just been bypassed from above.
