Chapter 7 - THE DAWN OF A NEW EMPIREThree days later, deep inside a secure safehouse overlooking the Swiss Alps, the snow fell in heavy, silent flakes against the reinforced glass windows.
Holden sat at a massive mahogany desk, reviewing the global financial reports. The Syndicate had imploded overnight; its leaders were either in federal custody or hunted down by rival organizations who now smelled blood in the water. The Cross empire wasn't destroyed—it had been cleansed of its rot.
Aria sat curled up on a velvet sofa by the fireplace, fast asleep with her head resting comfortably against Phantom’s massive, warm flank. The Cane Corso let out a soft, contented sigh, its amber eyes half-closed as it kept watch over the child.
The door opened softly, and Marcus Vance stepped in, holding a secure encrypted tablet.
"The international transfers cleared, Boss," Marcus reported quietly. "All accounts recovered from Viktor’s network have been successfully laundered through the clean shell corporations. We own the energy grid now. Globally."
Holden nodded without looking up from his papers. "And Valerie?"
Marcus hesitated, his expression shifting into something unreadable. "We traced her last known signal from the Mediterranean coast. She’s alive, Holden. She sent a message just an hour ago."
Holden finally raised his head, his piercing gaze locking onto the doctor. "What did it say?"
Marcus handed over a small, folded piece of old-fashioned parchment paper. Holden unfolded it with steady fingers. Written in familiar, elegant handwriting were three simple words:
Take care of my hound.
May you like
Holden looked back toward the fireplace, watching the massive killer dog gently lick a smudge of dirt off the sleeping girl's cheek. A rare, genuine smile touched the corner of the crime lord's mouth.
"She always did have a soft spot for strays," Holden murmured, closing the ledger as a new era
