Chapter 5 - The Glass Fortress
The Vale Estate was situated on a isolated four-acre bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in Highland Park.
It was a modern fortress of black steel, reinforced glass, and grey concrete, surrounded by an eight-foot perimeter wall topped with discrete surveillance cameras. As Knox drove the heavy armored SUV through the iron security gates, Claire looked out the tinted window at the silent guards stationed along the driveway.
This was not a home. It was a golden cage.
Knox parked in the underground garage beside three black sedans. Dominic led Claire up a private elevator directly into the main living wing of the house.
The interior was vast, quiet, and cold. High ceilings, polished marble floors, minimal furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the dark, turbulent waters of Lake Michigan below.
“Audrey’s room is in the east wing,” Dominic said as they stepped out of the elevator. “My quarters are opposite hers. Victor lives in the guest house near the gate.”
“Does Victor have access to the main security systems?” Claire asked, keeping her voice low.
“He designed them,” Dominic replied grimly. “If Victor is involved in my wife’s death, he controls every camera, every lock, and every guard on this property. I cannot confront him without absolute proof. If I strike too early, his faction within my organization will fracture the city into a mob war.”
“Then we give him enough rope to hang himself,” Claire said softly.
They reached a white door at the end of the long corridor. Dominic knocked softly, then opened it.
The nursery was the only warm room in the entire house. The walls were painted a soft lavender, filled with books, stuffed animals, and an oversized canopy bed.
Audrey was sitting cross-legged in the middle of her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, staring wide-eyed at the doorway.
When she saw her father, her face remained tense. But when Claire stepped into the room behind him, holding the white stuffed rabbit, Audrey’s entire posture transformed.
She scrambled off the bed, her bare feet pattering against the wooden floor, and ran straight toward Claire.
Claire dropped to her knees, opening her arms. Audrey collided with her, throwing her small arms around Claire’s neck, burying her face into Claire’s shoulder.
Claire held the small girl gently, stroking her dark curls, feeling the rapid flutter of her heart against her chest.
I have him, Claire signed with one hand while holding Audrey with the other, presenting the rabbit. He is dry now.
Audrey took the rabbit, clutching it to her chest, then pulled back to look at Claire’s face.
You stayed? Audrey signed, her small fingers moving with hesitant hope.
I am staying for a while, Claire signed back, smiling gently. I am going to help you tell your father everything.
Audrey glanced at Dominic, who stood in the doorway watching them with an intense, pained expression. The little girl shrunk slightly, her fingers twitching.
He doesn't hear me, Audrey signed to Claire. He only hears noise.
Claire looked up at Dominic. “She says you only hear noise.”
Dominic closed his eyes for a second, swallowing hard. He slowly lowered himself to one knee, bringing himself down to Audrey’s eye level for the first time in years.
He looked at Claire. “How do I say... I’m sorry?”
Claire demonstrated the sign slowly: placing a closed fist over her chest and moving it in a gentle, circular motion.
I am sorry, Claire instructed. It comes from the heart.
Dominic raised his heavy, calloused hand. His knuckles were scarred from old fights, his fingers thick and powerful. He placed his fist against his chest over his heart and made the slow, circular motion.
He looked directly into his daughter’s eyes.
Audrey froze.
She stared at her father’s hand, then at his face. For three years, Dominic had been a distant, terrifying storm of grief and authority. Now, he was kneeling on her floor, using her silent words.
A soft, shuddering gasp escaped Audrey’s throat.
She took one small step forward, reached out her hand, and placed her small palm flat over Dominic’s heart, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm beneath his suit.
Dominic closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers, a single quiet tear slipping down his carved cheek.
Claire stepped back toward the doorway, giving them their space.
As she watched the crime lord hold his silent daughter, she happened to look toward the window overlooking the courtyard.
May you like
Down in the dark driveway, leaning against the hood of a sedan, was Victor Vance.
He was smoking a cigarette, his face illuminated by the amber glow of the lighter. He was looking directly up at Audrey’s bedroom window, his cold gray eyes fixed on Claire with silent, deadly intent.
