Chapter 12 - Broken Loyalties
Dawn was breaking over Lake Michigan,
painting the sky in brilliant shades of amber,
violet,
and gold.
Inside the executive suite of Meridian Freight headquarters,
the atmosphere was finally calm.
Nora sat in a comfortable leather armchair by the window,
sipping a cup of hot chamomile tea while watching the sun rise over the city.
I stood behind her,
leaning against the back of the chair as the morning news broadcast played softly on the wall-mounted television.
*‘Breaking news this morning,
’* the news anchor reported earnestly.
*‘Assistant U.
S.
Attorney Thomas Vance and high-ranking shipping executive Enzo Santoro have been taken into federal custody following a massive joint raid at the Chicago docks.
’*.
*‘Federal authorities cite extensive evidence of corporate embezzlement,
bribery,
and racketeering spanning over three years.
’*.
*‘Meridian Freight leadership has cooperated fully with the investigation,
releasing statements confirming their commitment to corporate integrity and transparency.
’*.
Nora let out a long,
shuddering breath,
resting her hands gently over her growing stomach.
“It’s really over,
isn’t it?
” she whispered.
“It’s over,
” I confirmed,
placing a reassuring hand over hers.
“Enzo is facing life in a federal supermax facility with no possibility of parole.
” “Thomas Vance will never see a courtroom from the prosecutor’s side of the bench again.
” “And the syndicate capos who backed Enzo?
” “They’ve already sent word pledging their absolute loyalty to Meridian Freight,
” I said with a faint smile.
“When wolves realize the alpha is unmatched,
they fall back in line.
” Nora looked up at me,
her eyes shining with unshed tears of relief.
“You saved my life,
Dante.
” “And you saved my empire,
Nora,
” I replied softly,
kneeling down beside her chair so we were at eye level.
“For twenty years,
I lived by the rule that numbers don’t lie and people do.
” “I believed everyone had a price,
and loyalty was just a commodity to be bought and sold.
” “You proved me wrong.
” “You stood your ground against a monster,
risked everything to protect your child,
and trusted me when you had every reason to run.
” Nora smiled,
a radiant,
beautiful expression that chased away the last lingering shadows of fear.
“I knew who you were,
Dante.
” “Beneath the cold exterior,
you have a code.
” “A code of honor.
May you like
” “And honor is rare in this city.
”
