Chapter 4 - The Trap is SprungBefore Clara could process the confession that had hung between them for years, the emergency security console on her desk chimed a harsh, triple-tone alert.
BREACH DETECTED: SUB-LEVEL 3 ARCHIVES.
Nico Rizzo’s voice crackled over the secure intercom. "Boss! We’ve got movement in the legacy vault. Someone just used an override code to access the physical safe. It’s Arthur Vance’s legacy signature."
Roman’s expression hardened instantly, every trace of vulnerability vanishing, replaced by the lethal focus of a mob kingpin protecting his domain. He released Clara, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair and slipping it on with fluid grace.
"Stay here," Roman ordered, his tone absolute.
"No chance," Clara said, already reaching for the steak knife she had left on the side table earlier that night, slipping it into the inner pocket of her blazer. "My grandfather’s name is tied to whatever is down in that vault. I'm going with you."
Roman looked at her, saw the fierce determination in her eyes, and didn't argue. He nodded once. "Stay behind me."
They descended into the subterranean levels of DeLuca Tower via the private executive elevator. The air grew colder, smelling of damp concrete, old paper, and steel. When the doors slid open on Sub-Level 3, the emergency red strobe lights were spinning, casting an eerie, bloody glow over the concrete corridors.
The heavy steel door of the legacy archive vault stood wide open.
Inside, illuminated by a single flashlight, stood a tall, silver-haired man in an expensive tailored trench coat. He was holding a leather-bound ledger stamped with the DeLuca family crest.
Hearing their footsteps, the man turned around.
May you like
It was Arthur Vance. He didn't look dead; he looked older, leaner, and desperate, holding a suppressed automatic pistol in his right hand.
"Well, well," Vance smiled, his voice smooth and venomous. "The crown prince of Chicago, and his little accountant. I wondered how long it would take you to figure out the warrants, Roman."
