Chapter 30
By morning,
the estate had been transformed into a veritable fortress,
with additional security details patrolling every inch of the perimeter.
Maya had been moved to a secure room in the basement,
where Marcus was currently supervising her containment.
In the dining room,
Harrison sat at the long table,
a cup of untouched black coffee sitting in front of him.
Elena was on the phone with her contacts in the federal justice department,
confirming the devastating news of Vance's release.
She hung up the phone,
her expression grim as she looked across the table at Harrison.
"It is true,"
she said,
rubbing her temples in sheer frustration.
"A corrupt judge signed the release paperwork on a technicality regarding evidence chain of custody,"
she explained.
"That judge retired the very next day and disappeared from the grid."
"Vance bought his way out,"
Harrison stated,
his voice devoid of surprise,
knowing exactly how the system could be manipulated.
"He has resources,"
Elena agreed,
"and he is already rebuilding his network in the old industrial district."
Khloe entered the room,
holding her daughter,
who was happily eating a piece of toast,
unaware of the danger.
"We cannot stay here if it is going to become a war zone,"
Khloe said,
her voice filled with a mother's fierce protectiveness.
"I will not have my daughter growing up around guns and guards."
"You are safe here,
Khloe,"
Harrison insisted,
standing up to face her.
"The estate is secure,
and I am going to end this before it reaches the gates again."
"That is what you said three years ago,"
Khloe reminded him,
her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"And we almost lost everything."
Harrison felt a pang of guilt in his chest,
knowing her words were completely justified.
His past choices had brought danger to their doorstep before,
and the guilt of that reality never truly left him.
"This time is different,"
Harrison promised,
his voice soft but unbreakable.
"Three years ago,
I was fighting for power,
but now,
I am fighting for peace."
Marcus entered the room,
wiping his hands on a towel,
his expression serious.
"The girl in the basement is talking,"
Marcus announced,
attracting everyone's attention.
"She says Vance is hosting a meeting tonight at the old shipping yard,"
he continued.
"He is gathering the remaining gang leaders to consolidate his control."
Harrison looked at Marcus,
a silent understanding passing between the two men who had fought side by side for so long.
"Then we do not wait for him to strike,"
Harrison decided,
pushing his coffee cup aside.
"We hit him tonight,
at the shipping yard,
before he can organize his army."
"It is a trap,"
Elena warned,
standing up to protest.
"He sent that girl knowing you would capture her and extract the information."
"I know it is a trap,"
Harrison replied,
a cold smile touching his lips for the first time all day.
"But Vance forgets one thing,"
May you like
he added,
"I am the one who built the trap he is trying to use."
