Chapter 20 - The Pinnacle of Power
Within ninety seconds, the black-ops operatives were neutralized, coughing and disoriented as Gideon and Raphael secured the perimeter.
Director Keller stumbled backward against a crate, gasping for air as Raphael pressed the barrel of his sidearm firmly against his chest.
“You can’t arrest me, Orsini!” Keller choked out through the gas. “I am the law!”
“You’re a criminal wearing a government badge,” Raphael said coldly. He reached out, snatching the master archival hard drives right out of Keller’s trembling hands. He tossed them casually to Gideon. “Gideon, lock him in the brig. When we dock in Boston, hand him over to the federal grand jury we helped appoint last month. Let’s see how much law he practices from inside a federal penitentiary.”
Three days later, back in the sprawling penthouse overlooking the Chicago skyline, the sun broke through the clouds, casting a warm, golden hue across the city.
Josephine stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, sipping her coffee, looking out over a horizon that finally belonged entirely to them.
Raphael walked up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
“The DOJ announced Keller’s resignation and arrest this morning,” Raphael murmured. “Looks like the board is completely clean.”
Josephine turned in his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck, a serene, triumphant smile gracing her lips.
“Good,” she whispered. “Because I have a much more important meeting to schedule for next week.”
Raphael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what meeting is that, Mrs. Orsini?”
May you like
“A board meeting,” she smiled softly, pressing her forehead against his. “To discuss our future. And this time... we write all the rules.”
The heavy clock in the hallway chimed gently, but it wasn't marking regrets anymore. It was counting down the infinite, unbroken possibilities of a lifetime built on absolute truth, unshakeable strength, and a love that had risen from the ashes of midnight.
