Chapter 5 - THE ELEVATOR OF NO RETURNThe private express elevator to the penthouse of the Bellhaven Grand rose in absolute, luxurious silence.
Inside the mahogany-paneled cabin stood Dominic Moretti, Thomas Hale, and Amelia Carter. Bound and gagged behind them, shoved into the corner like unwanted luggage, were Mateo and the surviving hitman.
Amelia stared at the digital floor indicator above the mirrored doors as the numbers climbed rapidly: 42... 43... 44...
"If Vincenzo's men are waiting at the top," Amelia whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the cables, "we'll walk right into a firing squad."
Dominic adjusted the cuffs of his tailored shirt, checking the magazine of his pistol with a practiced click. "Vincenzo expects me to run. He expects me to crawl back to my compound in the suburbs. He doesn't expect me to take the express elevator straight to his temporary suite."
"And me?" Amelia looked down at her scuffed white sneakers and gray hotel uniform, stained with soot and rain. "What happens to me when the shooting starts?"
Dominic looked at her for a long moment, his hard expression softening into something warm and steady.
"When this is over, Amelia, you will never have to clean another mirror, scrub another floor, or fear another monster in your life again. You walk out of this hotel a wealthy woman. That is a promise from Dominic Moretti."
Before Amelia could process the gravity of his words, the elevator let out a soft ding.
The golden doors slid open.
The penthouse suite was a masterpiece of modern luxury—floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing the sparkling Chicago skyline, minimalist white leather furniture, and a polished granite wet bar.
And standing right in the center of the room, flanked by four heavily armed bodyguards with submachine guns raised, was Don Vincenzo Moretti himself.
Vincenzo froze, his scotch glass halfway to his mouth. For a second, the aging crime lord looked like he was staring a ghost straight in the eye.
"Dominic," Vincenzo breathed, his voice a mixture of shock and malicious delight. "You truly are a fool. You walked right into the lion's den."
Dominic stepped out of the elevator, moving with absolute, unhurried grace. Thomas and the guards flooded out behind him, their weapons instantly locked onto Vincenzo's men.
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"Hello, Uncle," Dominic said, his voice ringing cold and clear across the penthouse. "I see you've redecorated. I always hated that tacky white leather."
Vincenzo sneered, gesturing for his guards to tighten the circle. "Kill them all. Leave no one breathing."
