Chapter 4 - Shadows in the Penthouse
The guest suite assigned to Nema felt less like a bedroom and more like a luxury hotel wing. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the misty mountain ridge surrounding the estate, and the king-sized bed was dressed in crisp white linens that smelled of lavender and high-end detergent.
Yet, despite the opulence, Nema couldn't shake the feeling of being caged.
She stood by the window, turning the encrypted burner phone over in her palm. The screen was dark, glowing only with a single alphanumeric designation linked to Dom’s private network.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Nema called out, not turning around.
The door clicked open, and Vincent stepped inside, carrying a sleek black tactical case and a heavy wool coat. He placed them on the edge of the desk near the door.
"Mr. Vasquez wants you to have these," Vincent said neutrally.
Nema turned around, eyeing the case. "What is it?"
"A secure satellite comms link, a digital panic button tied directly to the estate's armed response team, and a passport under your new designation," Vincent replied. He paused, studying her with his usual deadpan expression. "Most people given that envelope take the money and run for the border, Miss Reyes."
"Most people haven't spent their whole life dodging landlords and loan sharks," Nema replied, crossing her arms. "Running just makes you tired when they finally catch up to you. What’s the play, Vincent? What is Dom actually doing right now?"
Vincent walked over to the window, standing a respectful distance away. "Mr. Vasquez is currently dismantling Tommy’s financial network. Within twelve hours, every bank account, offshore holding, and shell company Tommy set up with Vance’s backing will be frozen or seized."
"And Tommy?"
"Tommy is looking for a way out of the city that doesn't involve a shallow grave," Vincent said calmly. "Which brings us to why I am standing in your room."
Nema’s guard instantly went up. Her hand drifted toward the encrypted phone on the desk. "Go on."
"Vance knows where you live. He knows you work at Frank’s Diner," Vincent stated. "Even if we lock down your apartment, Vance’s fixers move fast. Mr. Vasquez believes Tommy will try to use you as leverage to negotiate safe passage out of the country. He thinks Tommy will come for you tonight."
Nema felt a cold chill run down her spine, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of adrenaline. "So I'm bait?"
"You are an active asset," Vincent corrected smoothly. "And I am your shadow until this is resolved."
Before Nema could argue, the entire room plunged into pitch-black darkness.
The ambient city lights visible in the distance flickered and died. The low, rhythmic hum of the estate’s climate control system cut out instantly, leaving behind an eerie, heavy silence.
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Vincent’s hand dropped to his side, his fingers hooking inside his jacket where a suppressed firearm rested in a shoulder holster.
"That's not a power outage," Vincent whispered, his eyes locking onto the smart-lock panel by the suite door as the LED indicator light shifted from steady green to a frantic, flashing red. "The estate's main grid has been isolated. Someone just dropped our electronic defenses."
