Home / Urban / MICHAEL SULLIVAN: NEW DYNASTY / — 15 —

— 15 —

Author: C. Sygil

2025-06-10 16:17:07

Michael paced his small apartment, his mind spinning from the events at the coffee shop. The number on his phone screen still felt surreal - thirty million dollars. He kept refreshing his banking app, half-expecting the money to disappear like some cruel joke.

"Ava," he called out, his voice sharper than usual. "We need to talk."

Ava emerged from the bedroom where she'd been standing motionless, recharging. Her silver-blue eyes focused on him with that unsettling intensity he was still getting used to.

"Yes, Mr. Sullivan?"

"How did you get that money?" Michael demanded, holding up his phone. "And don't give me some vague answer about finding opportunities. I want details."

Ava tilted her head slightly, processing his tone. "I accessed the banking networks across the town of Westbrook Heights and then expanded my search to encompass all financial institutions within Denver City. I identified seventeen venture capital funds actively seeking startup investments."

"You hacked into banks?"

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— 47 —
The mysterious texter hadn't responded to any of Michael's increasingly frantic messages. He'd sent fourteen texts since the warehouse incident, each one more desperate than the last: "Wrong address. Almost got killed. Where are you?" "Ava's getting worse. Please respond." "I'll try anything. Just help her." Still, no response.The central Park stretched out before him, and people moved around in lively bunches. Michael had chosen the location because it was a public space so if Wagner tried anything funny there'd be witnesses." Wagner arrived precisely at two PM, dressed in civilian clothes that somehow made him look more intimidating rather than less. He was accompanied by a small team of three men and a woman who tried to look like casual park-goers but whose alert eyes gave them away."Mr. Sullivan," Wagner said, extending his hand. His grip was firm. "You look... different."Michael shook it firmly, matching the pressure. "It's been an interesting week, General.""I can see that
— 46 —
Michael stumbled up the stairs to his apartment. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair disheveled, and there were grease stains on his knees from the previous day's chase. The adrenaline had finally worn off, leaving him feeling hollow and shaky.Lizzy was waiting by his door, pacing anxiously. The moment she saw him, her eyes widened."Michael! Jesus Christ, what happened to you? You look like you've been..." She stopped mid-sentence, taking in his appearance more carefully. "Are you wearing a gold chain? And what is that smell? Is that... gasoline?"Michael leaned against the wall, his hands still trembling slightly. "It's fine, Lizzy. Everything's fine.""Fine?" Her voice rose an octave. "You disappeared for two days! I've been calling you non-stop, texting you, I even called the police to file a missing person report, but they said I had to wait a complete forty-eight hours.""Lizzy, please. I just need to rest.""No, don't you 'please' me. I've been worried sick. I thought somethin
— 45 —
The first thing Michael noticed as they burst through the restaurant's back exit wasn't the flashing red and blue lights or the shouted commands echoing off the alley walls. It was the sound of Brother North's laughter. Deep, booming laughter, as if Christmas morning had arrived early."Boys!" North bellowed as they sprinted toward the SUV, "looks like we got ourselves a party!"Spider Web was already behind the wheel, engine running. Michael dove into the back seat."Go, go, go!" Carlos shouted, but he was grinning like a maniac.Michael was thrown against the door as Spider Web yanked the steering wheel hard left, tires smoking as they fish-tailed out of the alley and onto the main street."Wooooo!" Books howled from the front passenger seat, actually pumping his fist in the air. "Just like the old days!"Michael stared at them in horror. These men were treating a high-speed police chase like a carnival ride. Through the rear window, he could see at least four patrol cars pursuing t
— 44 —
The tension in the room began to ease as Martinez seemed to accept Michael's explanation, though his occasional glances suggested he was still trying to place where he'd seen that face before. Michael forced himself to project the calm confidence."Before we begin," Martinez said, his tone becoming more businesslike, "I want to understand exactly what authority you have to negotiate on behalf of Brother North's organization."Michael reached slowly into his jacket pocket and withdrew the contract he'd signed the day before, placing it on the table. "This contract gives me full legal authority to represent their interests in territorial negotiations and dispute resolution."Martinez picked up the contract and scanned it. His expression shifted slightly as he took in the details."Interesting," Martinez murmured. "Very thorough. And very expensive." He looked up at Michael. "Brother North clearly values your services highly.""Quality legal counsel is an investment in long-term stabilit
— 43 —
Michael stood in the warehouse bathroom, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror while trying to convince himself he wasn't about to get killed. The bruises on his face had darkened overnight, and his s hands shook as he adjusted his tie.The small wireless earpiece felt foreign in his ear canal. It was his lifeline, assuming Ava was functional enough to help.He tapped his ear and whispered, "Ava. Are you there? I need you."The response came almost immediately, and Michael nearly cried with relief."I'm here. System still unstable but I can help. What's happening?""Long story," Michael said. "I'm about to negotiate between drug cartels. I need legal advice, fast."..."Michael, how did this situation come to be?""I'll explain later. Can you feed me information through the earpiece?""Yes, but my access to databases is limited right now. I'll do what I can."Michael pocketed the phone just as Brother North's voice boomed through the warehouse."Consigliere Russo! Time to ge
— 42 —
Michael's hand trembled as he signed his name at the bottom of the contract, the ink flowing across the paper like blood sealing a pact with the devil. He hadn't read past the first paragraph. In fact, he couldn't focus on anything else as his mind raced with questions about how his life had spiraled so completely out of control in the span of thirty minutes.The moment his signature was complete, North clapped his hands together excitedly."Welcome to the family, Consigliere," North said, standing and opening his arms wide. Before Michael could react, he found himself enveloped in a bear hug that sent fresh waves of pain through his bruised ribs. "You have no idea how long we've been waiting for someone like you."The other men in the warehouse had stopped their work entirely now, gathering around the improvised office area with expressions of genuine curiosity. "Boys," North announced, keeping one massive arm around Michael's shoulders, "I want you to meet our new legal counsel. Mr

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