Chapter 11 - The Court Summons
Vincent did not immediately lower his weapon. He kept the man pinned while using his free hand to pat down the courier's jacket for hidden weapons. Finding nothing else, Vincent finally withdrew his firearm, stepping back and hauling the shivering driver to his feet.
"Explain yourself," Vincent demanded, his gray eyes flashing. "Why break in through the back fire escape at midnight instead of using the front entrance during business hours?"
The courier rubbed his sore neck, clutching the crumpled envelope desperately. "Because the front entrance has your private security detail stationed twenty-four hours a day! I tried to hand it to them, but they told me unless I had an official appointment cleared by Marcus, I couldn't come near the building. But the firm that hired me said this had to be delivered directly into Clara Carter's hands before midnight, or default judgments would trigger!"
Vincent snatched the envelope from the courier's grip. He scanned the official legal heading embossed across the top edge.
It wasn't a syndicate hit order. It was a formal petition for emergency family court jurisdiction, filed under a name that made Vincent’s blood run colder than any mob execution ever could: David Sterling.
Clara walked out from the dining room area, drawn by the sound of voices, her eyes wide with concern. "Vincent? What's going on? Who is this?"
Vincent turned the document over, his jaw tightening into a rigid line of suppressed fury. "It’s not an assassin, Clara. It’s David Sterling."
Clara’s face paled. "Sterling? But he fled to Florida months ago after his assets were seized!"
"He’s back," Vincent said grimly, reading the papers aloud. "He’s filing an emergency injunction claiming that the transfer of this building was executed under duress while he was mentally incapacitated, and furthermore... he’s filing a petition for emergency guardianship review over Rory, claiming her welfare is compromised in a commercial establishment tied to criminal enterprises."
Clara gasped, clapping both hands over her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "He can't do that! He abandoned us! He didn't pay us for seventy-seven days!"
"He thinks he found a loophole in corporate asset forfeiture laws," Vincent said, his voice dropping into a terrifyingly calm register. He turned to the shaking courier. "You delivered your package. Get out of my sight before I change my mind about letting you walk."
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The courier didn't need to be told twice. He bolted out the back door, disappearing into the Chicago night.
Vincent turned back to Clara, pulling her into his arms as she began to tremble. "Listen to me, Clara. David Sterling thinks he can use the courts to claw back what he lost. He doesn't realize that every judge in Cook County knows my name, and every law he’s trying to manipulate was written by men who respect power far more than a pathetic, bankrupt diner owner."
