CHAPTER 2 – THE DEAD MAN STARTS LISTENING
CHAPTER 2 – THE DEAD MAN STARTS LISTENING
That night, Dominic did not sleep.
At 11:43 p.m., the door opened.
Anthony entered first.
Veronica followed.
Dominic listened carefully.
“You're sure Mercer won't talk?” Anthony asked.
“He likes money,” Veronica replied. “Everyone likes money.”
“What about Paul?”
“He'll be dealt with after Friday.”
Anthony laughed.
“Can't believe the old bastard actually trusted us.”
Dominic felt ice spread through his chest.
Not because they were plotting.
Because they sounded comfortable doing it.
Like they had been planning for months.
Veronica lowered her voice.
“Once the signatures transfer, Moretti Holdings belongs to me.”
“And Dominic?”
A pause.
Then came the answer.
“Dominic belongs in a cemetery.”
Silence followed.
Even Anthony seemed unsettled.
“You really loved him once, didn't you?”
Veronica laughed.
“No. I loved what came with him.”
The words struck harder than the crash on the FDR Drive.
For two years she had shared his bed.
For two years she had smiled at his family dinners.
For two years she had kissed him goodnight.
And none of it had been real.
When they finally left, Dominic opened his eyes.
The movement was small.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
But he opened them.
The room was dark.
The city lights shimmered beyond the glass.
For the first time, the king of New York looked at the kingdom preparing to bury him.
A quiet knock came moments later.
Dr. Alan Mercer entered.
When he saw Dominic's eyes open, he nearly dropped his clipboard.
“Holy God.”
Dominic's voice came out rough.
“How many are with her?”
Mercer's face turned pale.
“You heard?”
“I heard enough.”
The doctor closed the door.
“Veronica bribed two lawyers. Anthony's helping her. One board member too.”
“Paul?”
“Still loyal.”
Dominic nodded.
“Good.”
Mercer stepped closer.
“What do you want to do?”
Dominic stared toward Manhattan.
The city thought he was dying.
His enemies thought they had won.
Veronica thought Friday would make her queen.
A slow smile appeared on Dominic's face.
“Let them keep believing that.”
“Friday?”
“Yes.”
“What happens Friday?”
May you like
Dominic's eyes hardened.
“Friday is when the dead man comes back.”
