Chapter 6 - The Breach at the Docks
"The Morettis aren't backing down," Elias said, stepping toward the center of the room. "They realized the team they sent failed. Now they know someone inside this house has professional training."
"They think you hired a high-level security contractor," Marin said, instantly understanding the tactical situation.
"Yes," Elias said. "And they're moving up their timeline. An hour ago, three of my cargo shipments at Port Newark were seized by federal agents acting on an 'anonymous tip' provided by Chicago. My legal team is tied up. My secondary security teams are spread thin across three states."
"Why are you telling me this?" Marin asked.
"Because the man who sent those hitters—Victor Moretti—is currently sitting in a private room at the Grand Hotel downtown," Elias said, his eyes locking onto hers. "He wants a meeting. Tonight. To discuss 'terms' for my mother's safety."
"It's a trap," Marin said instantly. "A man like Moretti doesn't offer terms after a failed snatch-and-grab. He's pulling you out into the open where your perimeter security doesn't exist."
Elias allowed a faint, dark smile to touch his lips. "I know it's a trap. Which is why I'm not going to play by his rules."
He walked over to the desk and laid out a schematic of the Grand Hotel.
"The room is on the penthouse level," Elias said. "Moretti has twelve men on the floor. Six in the lobby, four in the corridor, two inside the room with him. He expects me to bring Marko and six armed men. He expects a standoff."
"And what do you want?" Marin asked.
"I want you to come with me," Elias said.
Marin laughed—a short, dry sound without humor. "I'm a nurse, Mr. Ferrante. Not your muscle."
"You're a former Special Operations Medic who knows how to read an ambush before it happens," Elias said, taking a step toward her. "Marko thinks with a gun. You think with a brain. I need someone in that room who doesn't react like a gang boss."
"My shift ends at 07:00," Marin said firmly. "My patient is in this bed."
"I've brought in a team of four private ICU nurses from Johns Hopkins," Elias said. "They are downstairs right now, accompanied by two physicians. My mother will have better care than any hospital in the country can provide for the next twenty-four hours."
Marin looked at Adelaide. The old woman gave a single, slow nod.
"Go with him, Marin," Adelaide said softly. "He's an arrogant fool, but he's my son. And he's right about one thing—he won't survive tonight without someone who knows how to see in the dark."
Marin looked back at Elias. "Five thousand dollars."
Elias blinked. "What?"
May you like
"Five thousand dollars," Marin repeated. "Paid directly to the pediatric ward at St. Jude's Hospital in my name. And after tonight, my contract with your estate is finished. I leave."
Elias stared at her for three long seconds. Then he nodded. "Agreed."
