Chapter 6 - The Man Behind the Mockery
Derek contacted Chloe the next morning.
The message contained a photograph of her leaving her parents’ house beside Dominic.
Underneath it, he wrote:
You have no idea what you’re carrying into your life.
Chloe showed Dominic.
“He wants a response,” Dominic said.
“He wants to know whether I’ve told you everything.”
“Have you?”
She looked at him. “Yes.”
Dominic studied her for a moment, then nodded.
Chloe replied to Derek from a secure phone.
Meet me somewhere public.
He selected the rooftop restaurant of a luxury hotel near Michigan Avenue. Dominic objected until Chloe agreed to wear a microphone and allow Luca’s team to occupy the surrounding floors.
Derek arrived alone.
He looked less polished than he had in the café. His eyes were bloodshot, and his expensive jacket hung loosely from his shoulders.
“You told Russo,” he said.
“You followed me to a doctor.”
“I needed to know whether the rumors were true.”
“What rumors?”
“That Russo had a weakness.”
Chloe’s stomach tightened.
“I’m not his weakness.”
“You’re carrying his child. That makes you the only leverage in Chicago worth more than money.”
She kept her expression steady. “Is that why you mocked me in the café?”
“I needed to see how you reacted.”
“You called me fat to confirm I was pregnant?”
“I knew you. You always touched your stomach when you were protecting something.”
The familiarity in his voice made her skin crawl.
Derek poured himself water.
“Caruso’s people noticed you leaving the gala with Russo’s security. They suspected something happened between you. When you stopped drinking and started wearing loose clothes, they asked me to confirm it.”
“So you’re still working for them.”
“I’m staying alive.”
“You helped them attack the gala.”
“I gave them access. They told me it was corporate surveillance.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I didn’t know guns were coming through those doors.”
“You knew afterward. You still protected them.”
His eyes hardened.
“Just like your father did.”
Chloe leaned closer. “My father was afraid of losing his company. What were you afraid of losing?”
Derek laughed bitterly. “Everything I deserved.”
He admitted Mitchell Development had been weeks from bankruptcy. Caruso offered to erase his debt in exchange for hotel access. After the attack failed, the debt doubled.
Now Caruso wanted Dominic’s unborn child used as leverage.
“Tell Russo to withdraw from the Cicero shipping deal,” Derek said. “Caruso gets the warehouses. You and the baby stay safe.”
“And if I refuse?”
Derek looked toward her stomach.
“Then Chicago learns the great Dominic Russo cannot protect his own blood.”
Chloe’s anger overpowered her fear.
“You laughed at me in front of strangers because you thought I was alone.”
“You are alone. Russo does not love you. Your parents sold you out. Your child is a bargaining chip.”
A voice sounded behind him.
“She is not alone.”
Dominic stepped from the private dining room.
Derek shot to his feet.
Luca and two federal agents entered from the opposite side.
Derek stared at Chloe’s coat and saw the microphone wire.
“You set me up.”
May you like
Chloe held his gaze.
“No. I finally let you hear yourself.”
