Chapter 7 - Bloodlines and Whispers
Morning arrived over Lake Michigan in shades of cold slate and blinding white.
Downstairs in the private conference room, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Vincent Marsh stood near the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, watching two armed guards patrol the perimeter with trained German shepherds.
Julian sat at the head of the long oak table, sipping black coffee. Across from him sat his three top lieutenants: Marco, who controlled the shipping docks; Elijah, who handled the financial laundering; and Gabriel, head of intelligence.
"The DNA swab from the child came back from the lab two hours ago," Vincent announced, placing a sealed manila envelope in front of Julian. "It’s a direct match. Ninety-nine point nine percent. She is your biological daughter, boss."
A heavy silence descended over the room. Elijah cleared his throat, adjusting his gold spectacles.
"Julian, with all due respect," Elijah began cautiously, "announcing an heir out of nowhere—especially an illegitimate child from an unknown waitress—is a tactical disaster. The Rossi family is already testing our borders in the West Loop. If the Commission thinks you've developed a soft underbelly, they’ll strike."
Julian set his porcelain cup down with a quiet *clink* that sounded like a gunshot in the silent room.
"Nora is not an illegitimate child," Julian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "She is a Vance. The only heir to this table. And if any member of the Commission—or anyone in this room—refers to her as an underbelly again, I will have Vincent remove their tongue."
Marco and Gabriel exchanged uneasy glances. Neither dared to challenge him.
"What about the mother?" Marco asked gruffly. "She's an outsider. She doesn't know the code. She could be flipped by the feds, or snatched by Rossi’s enforcers."
"She will not be flipped," Julian stated firmly. "And as for her safety, she will not leave this property without a four-man escort. We are upgrading the estate’s security protocol to Level One. Double the sentries at the gate. No deliveries enter without chemical inspection."
"And Diane?" Vincent asked quietly. "She’s been seen at a downtown hotel meeting with one of Rossi’s junior lieutenants."
Julian's eyes turned predatory. "Diane wants to sell secrets she doesn't have. Bring her to the warehouse on 12th Street. I’ll deal with her personally tonight."
Julian stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. The three lieutenants stood instantly, bowing their heads respectfully before exiting the conference wing.
Vincent lingered behind. "Julian... are you sure about this? Bringing a child into this war? If Rossi finds out—"
"Rossi already suspects," Julian interrupted, turning to look out the window at the frozen lake. "Which is why we aren't hiding. Tonight, I’m taking Lena and Nora to the downtown gala at the Drake Hotel."
Vincent’s eyes widened in sheer shock. "You're presenting them publicly? To the entire high society of Chicago? Every mob boss and politician will be in that ballroom!"
May you like
"Exactly," Julian said, a cold, lethal smile touching his lips. "I want the whole city to see them. I want Victor Rossi to look me in the eye when I declare that any move against them is an act of total war."
***
