Chapter 2 - The Scent of Blood
Dominic tucked Clara into bed at her small townhouse in Lincoln Park by five in the morning. He had an off-duty private nurse—a trusted woman named Maria who owed Dominic her family’s freedom—stationed in the guest room with instructions to monitor Clara’s vitals and the baby’s movement every two hours.
By six-fifteen, Dominic was back at his corner office overlooking the Chicago River.
Marcus Kane was already waiting, dressed in an immaculate charcoal pinstripe suit, his leather briefcase open on the glass conference table. Beside him sat Leo, drinking black espresso from a paper cup, surrounded by five laptops displaying financial networks, property registries, and security logs.
""Tell me,"" Dominic commanded as he poured himself two fingers of neat bourbon.
Marcus cleared his throat, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. ""Vanguard Health Holdings is publicly traded on the NASDAQ, but sixty-two percent of their voting shares are tied up in an offshore investment fund based in the Caymans—Apex Capital. Arthur Pendelton, the executive cousin who protects Wallace, holds eight percent of that equity and is currently leveraged to his eyeballs in commercial real estate debt across suburban Cook County.""
Dominic sipped his bourbon, feeling the fire hit his stomach. ""And Lakecrest Medical itself?""
""Lakecrest operates on a thin margin,"" Marcus replied with a thin smile. ""They rely heavily on a municipal bond issued five years ago through the city development board. And coincidentally, Dominic, the bank holding the covenant on that bond happens to be First Continental.""
Dominic tilted his head slightly. First Continental’s chairman of the board, Richard Vance, owed Dominic his life, his political standing, and the preservation of his family name after Dominic had discreetly resolved a certain blackmailing ring involving Vance’s eldest son two summers ago.
""Good,"" Dominic said softly. ""What about Gregory Wallace himself? Where does he sleep? What does he cherish?""
Leo spun one of the laptops around. ""Wallace lives in a high-rise condominium in River North—a penthouse unit he bought with an adjustable-rate balloon mortgage. His bank accounts show hefty gambling losses at the underground sportsbooks over in Gary, Indiana. He owes approximately two hundred and forty thousand dollars to the Petrov family.""
Dominic chuckled, a low, humorless sound. ""He slaps a pregnant nurse on an ICU floor, and he can’t even pay his own bookies. An arrogant coward with delusions of nobility."" Dominic leaned forward, placing both hands flat on the polished table. ""I do not want this man arrested today, Marcus. If we call the police, he posts bail by lunch, Arthur Pendelton hires a high-priced defense attorney, and the narrative becomes a conflicting workplace dispute between a stressed executive and an emotional pregnant woman.""
""What is the directive, boss?"" Leo asked, his eyes brightening with predatory focus.
""We take everything from him. Piece by piece,"" Dominic said, his voice dropping into absolute resolve. ""First, I want his safety net destroyed. Marcus, call Vance at First Continental. Tell him to initiate an emergency audit on Lakecrest’s debt covenants by noon today. Cite operational negligence and administrative liability. I want Vanguard’s executive board in New York panicking before the stock market opens.""
""Consider it done,"" Marcus nodded, already pulling out his phone.
""Next,"" Dominic turned to Leo, ""contact the Petrovs in Gary. Buy Gregory Wallace's debt. Pay them dollar for dollar in cash, plus a twenty percent courtesy fee for their cooperation.""
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Leo grinned. ""So Wallace won't owe the Russians anymore.""
""No,"" Dominic smiled darkly. ""He will owe me. And unlike the Petrovs, I do not accept monthly interest. When I call in a debt, I collect in marrow."" Dominic checked his gold watch. It was 6:45 AM. ""Wallace’s shift ends at seven. He will be heading down to his car in fifteen minutes. I want him to know that the air in this city has suddenly turned poisonous. Leo, take two men. Don't hurt him. Not yet. Just give him his first greeting.""
