Chapter 4 - The Golden Cage and the Unseen EnemyTwenty-four hours later, Josie found herself sitting in a room that looked like a five-star hotel suite, completely detached from the brutal reality of her Chicago studio.
After her shift at Ruthie’s diner, two men in suits had intercepted her at the bus stop, politely but firmly inviting her to "accompany them" to Thorne Manor, located behind towering iron gates in an exclusive gated estate north of the city.
The room featured velvet drapes, a king-sized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, and a private marble bathroom. But Josie felt like a prisoner in a gilded cage.
The heavy oak door clicked open, and Vance Thorne walked in, carrying a heavy leather briefcase. He looked her over, noting the way she sat rigidly on the edge of the velvet sofa.
"Nero is awake," Vance said without preamble. "Dr. Hayes says he’ll pull through, thanks in large part to your improvised tourniquet and the fact that you kept his core temperature stable."
"I don't want your thanks," Josie said, standing up to face him. "I want to go back to my apartment. I have to work tomorrow."
"You don't have a job at the diner anymore," Vance replied casually, opening his briefcase and pulling out a thick manila folder. "I bought the diner this morning. You’re retired from flipping burgers."
Josie’s jaw dropped. "You did what? Are you insane? You can't just buy my workplace!"
"I can, and I did," Vance said, stepping closer. "Because as of today, your safety has become a complicated logistical problem for me. Word leaked on the street that Nero was ambushed by our rivals, the Syndicate. They know someone was in that alley with him. They know you were there."
Before Josie could digest the terrifying implications, a loud crash echoed from the hallway outside.
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Bang! Crash!
Vance’s face darkened into an absolute mask of death. In one fluid motion, he drew a suppressed pistol from his waistband, grabbed Josie by the wrist, and shoved her behind his back as the heavy oak door splintered into a million pieces.
