Chapter 17 - The Unseen ThreatSpring arrived in Chicago with a fierce, sudden warmth that melted the remnants of winter into rushing gutters and blooming flowerbeds. The Moretti estate was bathed in sunlight, and for the first time in years, the heavy wrought-iron gates felt like a welcome embrace rather than a fortress wall.
It was a Saturday afternoon. Jack and Rosie were out on the back lawn playing tag with Vance, who had surprisingly turned out to be an exceptional soccer goalie.
I was in my study reviewing the financial audits for the Isabella Moretti Foundation when my private burner phone—the one only used for high-level intelligence—buzzed sharply against the desk.
I picked it up immediately.
"Speak," I commanded.
"Boss, you need to see this," Vance’s voice came through the comms, breathless and urgent, completely breaking his usual calm demeanor. "We just intercepted a digital packet routed through an encrypted server in Zurich. It’s not from the Commission. And it’s not from the Petrovics."
I stood up, walking toward the window that overlooked the lawn. "What is it?"
"It’s a dossier," Vance said grimly. "Complete surveillance logs, architectural blueprints of this penthouse, and financial wire transfers dated from three days ago. Someone is funding a new group—and they aren't looking to take over your territory, Roman."
My blood ran cold. "Then what do they want?"
"Your children."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The sense of absolute security I had built over the last six months shattered in a single heartbeat.
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"Who sent it?" I demanded, my voice dropping into a lethal whisper.
"We traced the encryption key, boss," Vance replied. "It belongs to an organization that hasn't operated in the United States for twenty years. A ghost faction known only as The Syndicate of the Seven Circles."
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