Chapter 9 - The Turn of the Tide
“You always were impatient, Tommy,” Declan replied, his voice unnervingly steady as he stood tall beneath the dim overhead work light, his left hand pressed firmly against his bleeding side to stem the flow. “You think killing me makes you the boss of Baltimore? You think the syndicates in New York and Chicago are going to answer to an accountant with a Napoleon complex?”
Tommy’s smile faltered just a fraction. He raised the pistol higher, aiming directly at Declan’s chest. “They’ll answer to whoever controls the shipping lanes and the offshore accounts. And as of tonight, that’s me.”
“You forgot to check the primary server, Tommy,” Declan taunted, a dangerous glint in his dark eyes. “The ledger you want isn't the one on the desk. It’s encrypted and mirrored to a secure server in Zurich. The moment my heartbeat flatlines, an automated protocol sends the entire database to the federal prosecutor’s office and every rival family from here to Miami.”
Tommy froze. The absolute confidence in Declan’s voice struck home like a physical blow.
“You’re bluffing,” Tommy spat, though his hand trembled ever so slightly.
“Try me,” Declan whispered, taking a slow step forward. “Pull the trigger. Let’s see how long your empire lasts when the feds kick your doors down at sunrise.”
In the deep shadows beneath the Navigator, Norah’s heart pounded against her ribs like a sledgehammer. She looked down at the physical leather ledger in her arms, realizing what Declan was doing—he was creating a lethal distraction, risking his life to buy her every possible second.
May you like
She couldn't just sit there and watch him die.
Her eyes darted around the dark floor beneath the car. Resting near the rear tire was a heavy, iron-handled mechanic’s jack.
