Chapter 6 - Checkmate in the DarkWith an explosive burst of adrenaline, Daniel lunged forward, grabbing Vincent by the ankles and yanking his legs out from under him.
Vincent hit the concrete hard, the shotgun flying from his grip and clattering across the wet gravel.
Before Vincent could recover, Daniel scrambled over him, pinning the traitor's chest to the ground with his knees despite his lack of functional legs, his powerful hands closing around Vincent’s throat.
"You thought I was weak," Daniel whispered, his face inches from Vincent’s terrified eyes. "You thought the wheelchair meant I was finished."
Vincent clawed desperately at Daniel’s wrists, gasping for air, his face turning purple. "Daniel... wait... we're... brothers..."
"Brothers don't sell each other to the Bratva," Daniel growled, tightening his grip until the bones in Vincent's neck seemed to creak.
Footsteps rushed toward them from the shadows. Marcus Vale appeared, holding a pistol, panting heavily with blood soaking his suit shoulder.
"Well, well," Marcus wheezed, aiming his gun straight at Daniel’s head. "Looks like loyalty really is dead. Step away from him, Daniel, or I'll blow your brains across this concrete."
Daniel didn't move. He kept his hands locked around Vincent’s throat, turning his head slowly to look at Marcus.
"Go ahead, Marcus," Daniel challenged, a dark, dangerous smile touching the corners of his mouth. "Shoot me. But check your phone first."
Marcus frowned, his finger trembling on the trigger. "What are you talking about?"
"Check it."
Marcus pulled his phone out with his left hand, keeping his gun trained on Daniel. He tapped the screen.
A notification flashed across the display: All federal asset seizure warrants executed against Vale Enterprises. Accounts frozen. Interpol notified.
Marcus’s face turned the color of ash. "You set me up."
"You walked right into the trap the moment you stepped onto my property," Daniel said softly. "You thought my isolation meant vulnerability. It was bait."
Suddenly, the wail of approaching sirens shattered the night air. Red and blue lights began flashing against the distant perimeter gates as a dozen unmarked federal and local tactical vehicles breached the outer security fence, their headlights illuminating the entire yard.
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Marcus dropped his weapon, falling to his knees in defeat as federal agents swarmed out of the vehicles with assault rifles raised.
Daniel slowly released his grip on Vincent, letting the choking, gasping traitor collapse into the mud.
