Chapter 6 - Shadows of the Syndicate
The high-security safehouse was a sleek, glass-and-steel modern fortress nestled high in the hills overlooking the bay, five miles away from the main estate. It had no historical ties to Carmine Falcone, making it completely invisible to Vance’s informants.
For the first forty-eight hours after the ocean escape, I slept.
When I finally woke up on the third morning, wearing an oversized cashmere sweater Gabriel had left for me and a pair of dark sweatpants, I wandered down the open-concept hallway toward the living room.
The three brothers were gathered around a massive glass conference table covered in tactical maps, financial ledgers, and live security feeds.
Declan was cleaning a sidearm, his movements methodical and disciplined. Gabriel was typing furiously on two laptops simultaneously, tracking offshore transactions. Roman stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a cup of dark coffee in hand, staring out at the fog rolling off the ocean.
As soon as my bare feet stepped onto the hardwood floor, all three men turned toward me instantly.
“You’re awake,” Roman said, his deep voice immediately softening.
“How are you feeling?” Gabriel asked, closing his laptops. “No fever?”
“I’m fine,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling a bit self-conscious under their unanimous attention. “Better, actually. Have you heard anything from Boston General?”
“Your sister Daisy is completely fine,” Declan chimed in, setting his firearm down on the table. “I stationed four of my best guys outside her room disguised as hospital security. Nobody gets near her without going through a brick wall first.”
A huge weight lifted off my chest. “Thank you, Declan. Truly.”
Declan shrugged, a faint flush appearing on his neck as he looked away. “Yeah, well... don't get soft on me. I’m just doing my job.”
“Come eat something,” Roman offered, gesturing to a tray of fresh fruit and pastries on the counter.
I walked over, taking a small apple. “Have you found Vance?”
Roman’s jaw tightened. “Vance has gone deep underground. But he did something foolish yesterday. He called a meeting of the Syndicate High Council.”
I stopped chewing. “The High Council?”
Gabriel stood up and walked over, leaning against the counter beside me. “The Syndicate isn't just us, Maeve. Our father was the boss, but he shared power with three other families—the Moretti clan in New York, the Irish Syndicate in South Boston, and the corrupt politicians Vance keeps on his payroll. Since Carmine died, those families have been waiting for a reason to tear the Falcones down.”
“And Vance gave them one,” Roman added coldly. “He told the Council that the Falcone brothers are hiding fifty million dollars of Syndicate money, and that we brought Elena Carter’s daughter into our home to keep the funds for ourselves.”
My blood ran cold. “He framed you.”
“He tried to,” Roman corrected, a dangerous glint in his eye. “The Council has summoned us to the Old Port Warehouse tonight for an emergency hearing. If we don't show up, they’ll declare war on the Falcone family.”
“You can't go!” I blurted out, fear spiking in my chest. “It’s a trap! Vance wants you all in one place so he can eliminate you!”
“Of course it’s a trap,” Declan smirked, a dark, hungry grin spreading across his face. “That’s what makes it fun.”
“Declan,” Roman warned, giving his brother a sharp look before turning back to me. “We have to go, Maeve. In our world, showing weakness or running away is a death sentence. If we don't clear our name tonight, every hitman on the East Coast will be hunting us—and you.”
“Then take the cipher!” I pleaded, pulling the brass box from my sweater pocket and setting it on the counter. “Take the coordinates, give the money to the Council, and let this be over! I don't want fifty million dollars!”
Roman looked down at the brass box, then reached out and placed his large hand gently over mine.
“That money doesn't belong to the Council, Maeve,” Roman said softly, his touch sending a strange, warm shiver through my spine. “And it doesn't belong to Vance. It belongs to you and Daisy. Your mother bled for twenty years to keep that safe for you. I will not let a room full of vultures steal your mother’s legacy.”
“Roman is right,” Gabriel said softly, his usual teasing tone completely replaced by absolute sincerity. “Elena was more of a mother to us than anyone else ever was. Protecting you isn't a chore, Maeve. It’s the only honorable thing we’ve ever done.”
I looked at the three identical faces surrounding me. A week ago, I thought these men were monster mafiosi who would crush me for sport. But beneath the dark suits, the guns, and the violent reputation, I saw three broken boys who had lost the only person who had ever shown them unconditional love—my mother.
“I’m coming with you,” I said suddenly, my voice firm.
All three brothers froze.
“Absolutely not,” Declan barked. “Are you insane?”
“No, listen to me!” I demanded, standing my ground. “Vance told the Council that you’re hiding me. If you show up alone, they won't believe a word you say. They’ll think you killed me or hid me away to keep the key phrase! But if I walk into that room with you, holding the cipher myself...”
“You become the biggest target in the state,” Roman finished, his voice tight with refusal. “I won't risk your life, Maeve.”
“I’ve been taking risks my whole life, Mr. Falcone,” I said, stepping right up to Roman, looking up into his intense gray eyes without a single trace of fear. “I survived forty-eight hours in your manor. I survived a sniper attack, an explosion, and a drop into the freezing Atlantic. I’m not a helpless maid anymore. If we’re going to finish this, we finish it together.”
Roman stared at me, his breath hitching slightly as he looked at my determined expression. A small, rare smile touched the corner of his lips.
“You really are Elena’s daughter,” he murmured softly.
Gabriel laughed softly behind us. “God help us. She’s crazier than Declan.”
“Hey!” Declan protested, though he couldn't hide the smirk on his face.
May you like
Roman turned back to the tactical map on the table, tapping his finger on the Old Port Warehouse location.
“Alright,” Roman declared, his authority snapping back into place. “If Maeve comes, we change the game. We don't defend ourselves tonight. We execute a full takeover.”
