Chapter 6 - Shadows of the Past
The transition to the Barrington estate felt less like moving into a new home and more like stepping into a fortress built of green lawns, ancient oaks, and absolute security.
For the first time in three years, Walter Bellamy slept through the night without the constant, gnawing anxiety that medical bills would bounce or that Deline and Matteo would strip away what little dignity he had left. His nurses were professionals who treated him with genuine warmth, and the estate’s sprawling library became Simone’s new domain.
Yet, in the underworld of Chicago, power vacuums never remained empty for long.
Three weeks after Matteo’s arrest, Julian was working late in his private ground-floor study at the estate when Marco knocked sharply and walked in without waiting for an invite.
"Boss," Marco said, his face grim. "We have a problem regarding the Vance assets."
Julian didn't look up from his tablet. "Matteo’s lawyers are trying to file a motion to dismiss. Let them. The federal prosecutor has enough digital paper trails to lock him away until he’s a grandfather."
"It's not Matteo," Marco corrected, stepping closer to the desk. "It’s his silent partner. The man who actually funded the North Side development shell companies before Matteo started skimming."
Julian finally looked up, his dark eyes narrowing. "Name."
"Viktor Rostov."
The name hung in the air like ozone before a thunderstorm. Rostov was an old-guard Bratva boss operating out of the northern suburbs, a man who didn't care about corporate etiquette or legal loopholes. If Matteo’s arrest meant Rostov’s dirty capital was trapped in frozen accounts, Rostov wouldn't go to court—he would go to war.
"He’s already making moves," Marco added quietly. "A freight truck carrying Marzano import supplies was intercepted near O'Hare this morning. The driver is in the hospital, and the cargo was torched."
Julian stood up slowly, buttoning his suit jacket. A dark, frozen fury settled over his features. "Rostov wants to test how much I care about my supply chains."
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"He doesn't just want the supply chains," Marco warned. "Word on the street is that Rostov is looking for leverage. He knows Matteo was tied to the Bellamy family. He thinks we took his money."
Julian’s jaw tightened into a lethal line. "Double the perimeter security on the Barrington estate. No one—absolutely no one—gets within two miles of this house without my direct authorization."
