Neon lights danced across glass towers like sparks on steel as the city glistened in the night sky. Robert Cruise stood with his fists clenched against the railing of his penthouse balcony, his thoughts racing. His dark hair whipped in the wind, but the weight on his chest was too heavy for any breeze to lift.With two glasses of whiskey in hand, ToGregory Lane emerged onto the balcony. Even though his face was lined, his eyes remained calm and steady. He handed Robert a glass and remarked, "Young Master, you haven't left this spot in an hour."Robert took it without a drink. Gregory, how do you battle someone you can't see? I could look Daniel, Tracy, and Evelyn in the eye. However, this Don hides in the shadows. He hits without warning. And Ricky. He forced his voice back into steel, but it cracked a little. "I swear, if he touches my son again—"Gregory concluded quietly, "You will burn the city to the ground." "I understand. But you can't let anger make you blind, Robert. The Don

The ruined parlor still smelled of gunpowder. Standing in the center of the debris, Robert's eyes were burning with rage and his breathing was labored. Roseline shuddered in front of him, her black gown ripped from hiding behind broken furniture. Robert said in a low, menacing voice, "You have two options, Roseline." "Tell me everything you know about The Don, or I'll watch your last opportunity to turn your life around be lost."Roseline's mouth trembled. "You don't get it, Robert. He's everywhere. Everything is visible to him. I am dead even if I speak. Robert took hold of her chin and made her look into his eyes. "If you don't, you're already dead." Detective Lara Kane came in from the corner, looking around at the carnage with her pistol drawn. "Whoever was in charge of this was disciplined, but we secured the perimeter. They hid their tracks, leaving no IDs or prints. traditional ghost operation. Eliana trailed behind, taking in the scene with dagger-sharp eyes. Her disgust was b

Dozens of figures appeared out of the shadows, but were obscured by the dense fog swirling around the docks. Rifle-wielding men gathered in a circle, their boots banging against the planks. With their guns drawn and their eyes searching for the source of the voice, Robert and Eliana stood side by side. "Exhibit yourself!" Robert let out a roar. The Don's laughter, enhanced by concealed speakers, reverberated in all directions. "Have patience, Robert. When I make up my mind, you will see me. It's not about me tonight. It concerns you. concerning blood.Albert took a step forward, his smile growing. "You always believed that you were superior to me. But now you're stuck here like a rat. as I stand next to the man who will govern this city. Robert felt his chest heave. "Albert, you are supporting a ghost. Do you believe he will elevate you to the throne? You will only be his dog. Albert's face grew serious. "A dog is preferable to being forgotten." Once more, the Don's voice broke throug

Evelyn York didn't think accidents happened. The patient, exacting assembly of people, favors, debts, and lie after lie until a building of influence rose around her, glittering and impregnable, was what she believed in. She observed the city from her private study on the seventeenth floor, as if she were reading the lines of a map she had drawn herself: who owed what to whom, whose reputations were brittle, whose allegiances could be purchased with a single amicable phone call and the promise of future benefits.Her days had turned into a silent act of violence. She used ledgers and signatures where others used fists and guns. Evelyn employed the more subdued tools of accounts and consent, while The Don used blood and intimidation. Obedient as tides, money moved where she pointed it. Tonight, a new batch of transfers had emerged from her dormant accounts and merged into a shadow chain of businesses owned by men who took orders without question. With a thin smile, she had observed the

Chapter 19: Evelyn Strikes BackAt last, the tension between mother and son was resolved. With her silk gown fluttering in the breeze, Evelyn York stood on her estate's balcony. In the distance, the city glistened, and her son Robert thought he had the advantage. Blood mingled with the red liquid as she held onto her wine glass until it broke in her hand. Albert, who was standing behind her, heard her say, "Robert believes he can take away my empire." However, he fails to remember that I created him. He learned all of his cruelty and strength from watching me. Albert grinned. "Then let's remind him of his debtors."Evelyn turned with razor-sharp eyes. We'll bleed him from the inside out. Is loyalty important to him? We'll taint it. Does he cherish love? We'll contaminate it. Does he cherish his son? Her smile was icy. "We'll take him then." Albert grinned more broadly. "I have men in Vanguard already. We will strike him where it hurts the most when the time comes. Evelyn took a step f