Chapter 5

I unlocked the door to my hidden apartment, the encrypted laptop chiming crisply, echoing in the silence.

I glanced at the glowing screen.

A high-priority email had bypassed all my firewalls.

I clicked it open, and my stomach knotted at the familiar Syndicate crest on the header.

A formal legal threat, issued by Falco's advisory department.

The bold text demanded immediate repayment of a loan. The document claimed I had stolen the money in Falco's name four years ago to fund my escape.

I stared at the black words, a bitter laugh tearing from my throat.

The Don was so disgusted by my existence that he was mobilizing his entire empire to grind me into dust. Long before my illness, he wanted to crush me legally and financially.

Moving like a robot, I went to the keyboard and entered the authorization info. I attached my encrypted digital signature to the bottom of the claim, accepting the blood debt.

I promised to repay it, down to the last cent.

My body had already been pronounced dead. Before I went into the ground, returning his money was the only way to sever the final tie between us.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a secure line to contact my good friend Lexi. She was an associate on the fringes of the Family business, running a high-end bridal boutique downtown.

Of course, beneath the veil of tulle and lace, it was a front to launder Syndicate money.

Lexi picked up on the first ring.

"Can I come work at your boutique?" I cut straight to the chase. "The black-market surgery ruined my stamina; I can't do heavy lifting. I need somewhere quiet."

Lexi immediately offered me the front desk job. "Safe, high-paying, cover job. We'll funnel cash straight to you."

I accepted without hesitation.

I refused to owe the Don a favor for even a second longer.

I swore that in the final moments of my life, I would vanish from Falco's world entirely.

I would pay him back, and then quietly disappear into an empty corner.