Chapter 6 - The Devil’s BargainThe fluorescent light overhead flickered once, twice, and then died completely, plunging Room 412 into a dim, amber twilight cast only by the glow of the city lights bleeding through the dirty windows.
Lorenzo stared at the small flash drive in Dominic’s palm. His eyes narrowed, calculation flashing behind his sharp features.
"The master ledger," Lorenzo murmured, taking half a step forward. "Federal investigators would give their left arm for that drive. And the cartel would skin us both alive if they knew we had their routing numbers."
"That's why it doesn't go to the feds, and it doesn't stay with the cartel," Dominic replied, his voice raspy but steady. He used his free hand to grip the edge of the iron cot, pulling himself up into a semi-sitting position despite the searing agony in his torso. "You want my empire, Lorenzo? You want the clubs, the construction firms, the security contracts? Take them. Run them your way. But I walk away clean. Tonight."
Lorenzo let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "You walk away? Dominic, you’re bleeding out on a rusted piece of metal in a condemned hospital wing while half the Phoenix Police Department is searching the building for your corpse! You aren't walking anywhere."
"She is going to help me," Dominic said, turning his pale blue eyes toward Cara.
Cara recoiled instantly, shaking her head so hard her dark hair whipped across her face. "No. Absolutely not. I am a nurse, not an accomplice to a cartel laundering scheme! I saved your life because it was my job, not so I could become a fugitive!"
"You already are one, Jennings," Dominic said calmly, though his gaze carried an inescapable weight. "Dr. Hale signed a false death certificate under your supervision. You stole hospital medical supplies to perform an unauthorized thoracostomy in a condemned ward. If the police or Detective Vance find you here with us, you’ll go down for conspiracy and murder just like Vincent. Your nursing career ended the moment you touched that chest tube."
Cara felt the floor drop out from under her. He was right. In the eyes of the law, she wasn't a hero; she was a conspirator in a mafia resurrection.
Dr. Hale whimpered from the corner, clutching his knees. "She’s right... we’re all dead. Vance is already on floor three..."
Before anyone could speak, a sharp, metallic clanging echoed from the hallway outside.
Footsteps. Fast, organized, and heading straight down the condemned wing.
“Police! Nobody move! Clear the rooms!”
Detective Vance’s voice bellowed down the dark corridor, closing in fast.
Lorenzo swore under his breath, grabbing Dominic by the collar. "Time's up, cousin. What's it going to be?"
May you like
Dominic tossed the flash drive straight into Cara’s trembling hands.
"Take it, Jennings," Dominic whispered fiercely. "Run through the maintenance fire escape at the end of the hall. It leads straight to the alley. If you make it out, you have enough leverage to bury everyone—including me. But if you get caught... we all burn."
