Chapter 5 - THE BAIT AND THE TRAPThe following morning, the blizzard broke, leaving behind a blinding, pristine landscape of white snow piled high against the pine trees.
At 9:00 AM, deep inside the secure communications room of the hunting lodge, Dante activated a burner phone linked to Julian Caruso’s private line.
The phone rang three times before a sharp, arrogant voice answered.
“Speak.”
“It’s done, Julian,” Dante’s voice was pitched slightly lower, sounding raspy and strained, perfectly mimicking one of his older enforcers. “The cleanup at the veterinary clinic is finished. No trace of the girl or the dog.”
A heavy pause hung on the line. Then Julian’s voice came back, dripping with cold satisfaction.
“And my uncle? Did you take care of him too?”
“He wasn't at the clinic when we hit it,” Dante lied smoothly. “But we tracked his vehicle signature heading north toward the old timber lodge on Route 9. He’s there now, alone.”
Another pause, longer this time. Julian was calculating the risk, weighing the ultimate prize of eliminating the head of the family and seizing complete control of the Caruso syndicate.
“Alone?” Julian verified, his voice laced with predatory glee. “Are you certain?”
“Positive. He went off the grid to hide the dog’s body. If you move now with a clean-up team, you can end this cleanly before the roads are plowed.”
“Don't move from your position,” Julian ordered sharply. “I’m bringing two cars. Make sure the lodge is secured when we arrive.”
The line went dead.
Dante lowered the burner phone onto the metal desk and looked up at Maeve and Sal, who stood across the room monitoring the satellite telemetry screens.
“He took the bait,” Dante said coldly. “He’s bringing his inner circle to eliminate loose ends.”
“How long?” Sal asked, checking the slide of his firearm with a crisp clack.
“Twenty minutes,” Dante replied, standing up and buttoning his heavy wool coat. “Sal, position the perimeter cameras to record every vehicle entering the private timber road. Marco, make sure the federal district attorney’s secure drop box is pre-loaded with the encrypted financial files. The moment Julian steps foot on this property and admits on tape to ordering the hits, we broadcast the entire feed directly to federal investigators and rival capos simultaneously.”
Maeve stepped forward, her expression laced with anxiety. “And what about us? Where do I and Argos stay while this happens?”
Dante walked over to her, his gaze intense, steady, and strangely protective.
“You stay in the reinforced panic room beneath the study,” Dante said. “Argos goes with you. He is safe down there, and so are you.”
“I’m not hiding while you walk into a trap, Dante,” Maeve protested, crossing her arms. “I’m a trauma specialist. If someone gets hurt out there—on either side—you’re going to need someone who knows how to stop bleeding.”
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Dante studied her for a moment, seeing the fierce, unyielding determination in her eyes that mirrored his own. A slow, respectful nod broke his stern expression.
“Stay behind me,” Dante said quietly. “That is my only condition.”
