Chapter 3 - The Ghost from the Past
That night, Julian didn't take Elise back to their townhouse. Instead, he drove them to a high-security hotel downtown, booking the penthouse suite under a fake name. He paid the concierge ten thousand dollars in cash to ensure no one but room service had access to their floor.
Once Elise finally fell into a medicated, exhausted sleep, Julian walked out to the balcony, dialing a number he hadn't called in five years. The phone rang three times before a gravelly voice answered.
"I told you to lose this number, Julian."
"I need your help, Vance," Julian said, staring out at the glittering city skyline. "Someone sent an acid bomb to Elise today."
Silence hung on the line. Vance was an ex-military fixer who used to clean up messes for Julian’s wealthy, corrupt family before Julian cut ties with them. Vance was ruthless, efficient, and owed Julian his life.
"Did she open it?" Vance finally asked.
"No. A guy in a hoodie tackled her out of the way. He walked with a limp."
Vance let out a heavy sigh. "That wasn't a random Good Samaritan, kid. That was an inside man. The limp means it was likely Silas, one of Victoria’s old bodyguards. If he saved your girl, it means he double-crossed his boss. But Victoria won't stop at one failed delivery."
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"I want her dismantled," Julian said, his voice trembling with dark fury. "I want to take down her entire empire. Tell me what to do."
"Pack a bag. Get the girl ready to move. I'm picking you up in twenty minutes," Vance replied. "Welcome back to the underworld, Julian."
