Chapter 14 - The Trap is Set
|
Madeline paced the cabin for three hours. The silence was deafening.
Gabriel had told her to wait. He had told her she was safe. But every time she closed her eyes, she heard Nathan’s terrified voice on the phone.
They said if you don't bring the ring, they’re going to kill me.
She looked down at the heavy emerald on her finger. Victor Romano didn't want Gabriel. He wanted the symbol of the Costello family’s destruction. He wanted the ring. And as long as Gabriel was fighting for it, he was walking into a slaughter.
Madeline made her decision.
She found the spare keys to Gabriel’s secondary SUV hanging on the wall. She grabbed a heavy coat and slipped out the back door. The drive to Chicago took two and a half terrifying hours through the pouring rain.
She knew exactly which warehouse at Navy Pier Nathan meant. They used to play near the abandoned shipyards when they were kids.
When she pulled up to the rusted gates, the area looked deserted. No guards. No black SUVs. Just the howling wind off Lake Michigan.
Madeline stepped out of the car, her boots splashing in the puddles. She walked through the side door of the massive, dark warehouse.
"Nathan?" she called out, her voice echoing off the corrugated metal walls.
A single spotlight snapped on in the center of the room.
Underneath it stood Victor Romano, smoking a cigar. Beside him was Nathan, completely unharmed. No bruises, no ropes. Just a guilty look on his face.
May you like
And standing behind them both were twenty armed men, all aiming their weapons directly at the door.
"Hello, Madeline," Victor smiled. "I knew you wouldn't let the boss fight your battles."
