Chapter 9 - THE WAREHOUSE AT PIER SEVENTEEN
The warehouse stood near the waterfront.
Its windows were broken.
Its steel doors were rusted.
Snow gathered along the loading platforms.
Dante arrived with Luca and two security men.
I stood beside him wearing a borrowed coat.
He looked at me.
“You can still leave.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“Elena—”
“My father died because someone wanted him silent.”
I looked toward the warehouse.
“I've spent nine years believing he abandoned us in an accident. I need to know the truth.”
Dante studied me.
Then nodded.
“Stay beside me.”
We entered.
The building smelled of saltwater and old machinery.
At the far end, a single light illuminated a table.
A man sat behind it.
Greg.
My former manager.
He smiled when he saw me.
“Elena.”
I froze.
Dante stepped forward.
“Gregory Hart.”
Greg laughed.
“Dante Vanel. Your father would be proud.”
Dante's expression hardened.
“Don't mention him.”
Greg leaned back.
“Your father was a visionary.”
“He was a criminal.”
Greg smiled.
“So are you.”
Dante said nothing.
Greg looked at me.
“Your father was a good man, Elena. Too good.”
My hands shook.
“What happened?”
Greg sighed.
“Michael Vance discovered a trafficking operation hidden inside shipping contracts. He threatened to go to the authorities.”
My stomach turned.
“Human trafficking?”
Greg nodded.
“Your father wanted to expose everyone involved.”
I stared at him.
“So you killed him.”
Greg smiled faintly.
“I followed orders.”
Dante's jaw tightened.
“Whose orders?”
Greg looked at him.
“Your father's.”
Silence.
Then Greg reached into his coat.
Dante moved instantly.
“Hands where I can see them.”
Greg froze.
Security stepped forward.
But Greg was smiling.
“You think this ends with me?”
Dante stared.
Greg leaned closer.
“The organization never stopped moving people.”
Dante went still.
“What?”
Greg laughed.
“You cleaned up the businesses you could see. But your father's partners kept operating.”
He looked at me.
“And now Elena has something they want.”
My blood went cold.
“What?”
May you like
Greg smiled.
“The evidence your father hid before he died.”
