Chapter 10 – THE RETURN OF THE TRAITOR
“How is she out of prison?” Luca demanded, his voice instantly dropping to a lethal octave.
“I don’t know, boss,” Daniel said. “But she’s begging to speak to you. She says her life is in danger.”
Luca’s jaw clenched. “Let her drown.”
“Wait,” I said, touching his arm.
Luca looked at me, surprised.
“If she broke out of federal prison, or if someone let her out, we need to know who,” I reasoned. “She wouldn’t come here unless she had nowhere else to go. Let her in. But keep her in the foyer.”
Luca hesitated, then nodded to Daniel. “Bring her in. Five guards on her at all times. Search her for wires.”
Ten minutes later, Vanessa stood in the grand foyer.
She looked nothing like the arrogant, diamond-draped woman who had insulted me a year ago. She was wearing cheap, wet clothes. She was shivering uncontrollably, her eyes darting around the room in pure panic.
When she saw me standing next to Luca, her face crumpled.
“Luca, please,” she begged, dropping to her knees on the marble floor. “You have to help me.”
“Why are you not in a cell, Vanessa?” Luca asked coldly.
“They let me out,” she sobbed. “The feds. They offered me a deal. Information on the New York commission in exchange for witness protection.”
“Then go to your handlers.”
“I can’t! They found out!” Vanessa shrieked. “The commission found out I was talking. My handlers are dead, Luca. They killed them this morning. They’re coming for me!”
“That sounds like your problem,” Luca said, turning to walk away.
“Wait!” Vanessa screamed. “I know who is running the New York hit squad! I know who they sent to Chicago!”
Luca stopped. He turned back.
“Who?”
Vanessa swallowed hard, looking at me.
“It’s your father, Olivia.”
The room started to spin.
“My father?” I whispered. “My father died of a heart attack six years ago.”
Vanessa shook her head violently.
“No, he didn’t. He faked his death to escape his gambling debts to the commission. He’s been working as their top cleaner ever since. And they sent him here to kill me.”
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