Chapter 13 - THE DEAD BOSS
By sunrise, Chicago’s underworld believed Lorenzo Moretti was dead.
Salvatore made sure of it.
Photos circulated.
Rumors moved through bars and back rooms.
Lorenzo had died from his gunshot wound.
His crews were ordered to report to Salvatore.
Some obeyed.
Some disappeared.
Some called Lorenzo privately.
Evelyn watched him answer each call.
No speeches.
No threats.
Just one question.
“Were you loyal to me, or afraid of me?”
The answers told him everything.
By noon, twelve captains were with him.
By two, federal investigators had anonymous copies of Daniel Carter’s ledger.
By four, three reporters had it.
By five, City Hall was panicking.
“They’ll run,” Maya said.
“Some,” Evelyn replied.
“Others will destroy evidence,” Lorenzo added.
Maya looked at him.
“You talk like you’re not in the files.”
“I am.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He almost smiled.
Evelyn found him alone later.
“What happens to you?”
“After?”
“Yes.”
“If the files hold up, federal charges.”
“You could run.”
“I could.”
“Will you?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
“Why?”
“Because my whole life, men in my family called running strategy.”
He looked at her.
“Your father called it protection.”
Evelyn flinched.
“I’m done renaming fear.”
For the first time, she believed him.
Maya entered.
“We have a problem.”
“Just one?” Evelyn asked.
Maya handed over a phone.
A livestream invitation.
Tonight.
The Obsidian.
Salvatore Moretti was hosting a private gathering for Chicago’s remaining power brokers.
“He’s trying to hold the network together,” Lorenzo said.
Evelyn understood.
“Everyone in one room.”
“Exactly.”
Maya frowned.
“You’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking.”
Evelyn looked at Lorenzo.
“We started at the Obsidian.”
He nodded.
“We finish there.”
The plan formed fast.
Lorenzo’s loyal crews would surround the building.
Maya’s reporter friend would receive a live video feed.
Evelyn would access the restaurant’s internal surveillance system.
They would get Salvatore talking.
Confessing.
Then release everything.
“You’re not going inside,” Lorenzo told Evelyn.
She laughed.
“Cute.”
“I’m serious.”
“It’s my workplace.”
“It’s a war zone.”
“I know where every camera is, every service hallway, every blind spot.”
“I said no.”
Evelyn stepped close.
“You don’t give me orders.”
“You could die.”
“So could you.”
“That’s different.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Explain that.”
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Maya grinned.
“I’m gonna go stand somewhere less awkward.”
She left.
Lorenzo looked at Evelyn.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
There it was.
Simple.
Ugly.
Real.
Evelyn’s anger softened.
“Then don’t.”
His phone buzzed.
A video.
Celeste.
She was inside the Obsidian.
Behind her, someone sat tied to a chair.
Dante.
Badly beaten.
Celeste smiled at the camera.
“Come home, Lorenzo.”
May you like
She touched Dante’s shoulder.
“Or your last loyal dog dies before dessert.”
