Chapter 4 - The Shadows in the Tower
Ten minutes later, Marco Vance walked into the apartment after receiving a private briefing from Dominic in the hallway.
His face was grim.
“We found Frank Sterling,” Marco said quietly, adjusting his leather jacket. “He was packing two suitcases at his townhouse in Queens. He had a one-way ticket to Costa Rica booked for six o'clock tonight.”
Dominic stood up from the kitchen table, buttoning his suit jacket. “Where is he now?”
“In the basement holding room at the docks,” Marco replied. “He’s terrified, Dominic. He keeps screaming that he was just following orders.”
“Whose orders?”
Marco hesitated, glancing nervously at me and Lily before stepping closer to Dominic and lowering his voice. “He claims Anthony Moretti gave him fifty thousand dollars in cash to issue the termination notice and wipe Anna’s employee profile from the corporate mainframe.”
Dominic didn't look surprised. A cold, calculating rage settled over his features.
Anthony Moretti was Vincent’s younger brother—a ruthless, ambitious man who controlled the shipping and port logistics arm of the family empire. Anthony had fought bitterly against Dominic taking over the leadership three years ago, relenting only when the family captains voted overwhelmingly in Dominic’s favor.
“Anthony thought if he wiped Anna from the corporate system and forced her out of New York, she would never be able to claim her voting shares in the port holdings,” Dominic said, stepping toward the window and looking down at the street.
“If Anna doesn't claim her voting rights within thirty days of her thirty-fifth birthday,” I added, stepping up beside Dominic, “the trust charter states the unassigned voting shares default back to the chief director of the shipping division.”
“To Anthony,” Dominic spat out.
He turned around, looking down at me.
“Pack your bags, Anna.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You and Lily are not staying in this apartment tonight,” Dominic said firmly. “Anthony knows you’ve been fired. If Sterling doesn't check in with him tonight, Anthony will realize something went wrong. He’s dangerous, Anna. He won't hesitate to use violence to protect four hundred million dollars.”
“Where are we supposed to go?” I asked, panic rising in my chest.
May you like
Dominic reached out, gently taking my hand in his broad, warm palm.
“You’re coming to the estate in Old Westbury,” Dominic said quietly. “My father built that house to protect our family. Tonight, it’s going to protect yours.”
