Chapter 6 - The Lion’s Den
The meeting took place in a windowless office downtown, a stark contrast to the serenity of the lake house. Dante was in his element here: cold, precise, and terrifyingly efficient.
As Mara sat in the corner, notebook in hand, she watched as Dante dissected his lieutenants’ reports. She noticed things they missed—the slight hesitation in the logistics coordinator’s voice when discussing the new shipment routes, the way one of the guards kept checking his phone every three minutes.
He’s waiting for a signal, Mara thought, her pulse quickening.
After the meeting, she followed Dante out to the parking garage. As they neared his armored sedan, Mara grabbed his arm. "Stop. Don't get in the car."
Dante paused, his hand already on the door handle. "Why?"
"The guard," Mara whispered, keeping her voice low. "The one by the elevator. He’s been signaling someone since we left the conference room. And that car—the black sedan three spots down—the driver has been sitting there for twenty minutes without turning on the engine, despite the humidity."
Dante didn't ask questions. He didn't even look at the car. He signaled to Mercer, who was positioned ten feet away.
In a heartbeat, the garage erupted. Mercer’s men descended on the black sedan, pulling the driver out before he could reach for the weapon on the seat. The guard by the elevator turned to run, but he was tackled into the concrete by one of Dante’s bodyguards.
Dante looked at Mara, his face grim. "He was holding a remote detonator."
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Mara’s knees felt like water, but she forced herself to stand tall. "He was waiting for you to unlock the car door."
Dante pulled a hidden firearm from his holster, checking the perimeter. "I think it's time you learned how to carry one of these, Miss Ellis."
