Chapter 4 - The House of Cards
Agent Miller stepped between them, resting his hand near his holster. “Mr. Moretti, I’d advise you to step back. We received an anonymous tip that corporate espionage and illicit funds were being funneled through this specific backroom tonight.”
Dominic didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He adjusted the cuffs of his white shirt, his expression an absolute mask of boredom.
“An anonymous tip,” Dominic repeated smoothly. He turned his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Caleb, who was still cradling his bruised wrist and breathing heavily. “Funny how anonymous tips usually come from desperate men trying to cover up their own financial crimes. My club is a legitimate entertainment venue, Agent. If you have a search warrant signed by a federal judge, feel free to tear this office apart. If you don't…” Dominic’s voice dropped into a dark, gravelly warning. “…get out of my establishment before my security team escorts you off the premises feet first.”
Agent Miller narrowed his eyes, clearly recognizing the immense political and financial weight Dominic carried in the city. The agent pulled out a tablet, tapping rapidly on the screen. “We checked the logistics logs, Moretti. There was a major ledger transfer flagged to this location twenty minutes ago—”
“Logistics errors happen every day,” Dominic interrupted, stepping closer to the federal agent with unyielding intimidation. “Ask your cooperating witness here. He’s the one who manages corporate accounts, isn't he? Or perhaps he was trying to frame my business to cover up his own embezzlement.”
Caleb’s head whipped toward Dominic, sheer terror paralyzing his features. “That’s a lie! You’re framing me! You told me—you said if I brought the federal—!”
Caleb cut himself off, realizing too late what he had just admitted in front of a federal agent and a room full of syndicate guards.
Agent Miller slowly turned his head to look at Caleb, his expression turning icy. “Mr. Vance… did you just imply you were working with Mr. Moretti to fabricate an investigation?”
“No! That’s not what I meant!” Caleb stammered, backing away toward the door, his eyes darting frantically between the federal agents and Dominic’s stone-faced guards. “He’s manipulating you! He’s the head of the syndicate! Arrest him!”
Dominic didn't raise a finger. He simply watched with cold, detached satisfaction as Agent Miller clicked a pair of handcuffs onto Caleb’s wrists with practiced efficiency.
“Caleb Vance, you are under arrest for corporate fraud, embezzlement, and conspiracy,” Agent Miller recited crisply as the cold steel locked around Caleb’s expensive cuffs.
As the federal agents dragged a screaming, thrashing Caleb out of the room, he locked eyes with Harper one last time. His face was twisted in an ugly mask of desperation and hatred.
“Harper! Tell them! You know I’m innocent! Harper!”
Harper stood completely still, her hands resting calmly at her sides. She didn't feel anger. She didn't feel grief. She felt only a profound, hollow lightness, as if a heavy anchor had finally been cut loose from her soul.
“I don't know you anymore, Caleb,” she said quietly.
The heavy oak door closed with a muffled thud, sealing Caleb’s fate and cutting off his frantic cries as the agents escorted him out of the building.
May you like
The room fell silent once more. The guards stood at attention, blending back into the shadows. Only Dominic remained standing near the mahogany table, watching Harper with an unreadable expression.
“Well,” Dominic said softly, walking slowly toward her. “That was certainly more entertaining than a standard Friday night.”
