Chapter 10 - The Counter-Strike
The third-floor suite transformed into a tactical command center within ten minutes.
While two armed estate guards stood watch outside our reinforced door to ensure Mia remained safe and sleeping soundly in the adjoining bedroom, Vincent and I stood side-by-side in front of the console as Renzo fed live satellite and digital intelligence feeds onto the primary wall monitor.
“Here,” I pointed a trembling finger at a glowing green data point on the map of downtown Chicago, my administrative training kicking in beneath the waves of panic. “This isn't just a shell company in Delaware. For the past three months, every time Vanguard routed kickbacks through the Maple Grove zoning office, the transaction metadata bounced through an unlisted private server farm located inside an abandoned rail-maintenance depot on the outskirts of the city.”
Vincent leaned in closely, his shoulder brushing against mine as he studied the digital schematic. “An off-grid data relay. That’s how Sterling coordinates his regional strike teams without triggering federal wiretaps.”
“If we hit that relay farm tonight,” I continued, my voice growing steady as the sheer fury of protecting my sister took over, “we don't just blind David Sterling’s tactical units. We expose every illicit asset, every bribe, and every illegal acquisition Vanguard Holdings has made in the Midwest.”
Vincent looked down at me, a slow, dangerous smile touching the corners of his mouth—the look of a man who loved nothing more than turning an enemy’s weapon back against them.
“Renzo,” Vincent commanded, grabbing his leather shoulder holster from the table and slipping it over his broad shoulders. “Assemble the primary assault transport. We’re taking a midnight trip to the rail yards.”
May you like
He turned back to me, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made the rest of the world vanish.
“You stay here and monitor the comms, Clara,” Vincent instructed, pulling a heavy-duty encrypted satellite phone from his coat and placing it gently into my hands. “When your sister leaves her hospital shift at dawn, I want you to be the one who tells her she’s safe. And leave the rest to me.”
