Chapter 15 - Derek Vance Prepares For War On The Streets
Derek stood beside the desk, his eyes scanning the handwritten letter from Arthur Sterling with growing disbelief. “Sterling? I thought he died in a prison transport fire in Zurich five years ago,” Derek said, his voice dropping into a tense register.
“Men like Sterling do not die easily, Derek; they crawl back out of the woodwork the moment they think you've let your guard down,” Julian replied coldly. He locked the metal briefcase back up, sliding it into the hidden floor safe beneath his desk.
“What about Maya? Does she know any of this?” Derek asked, glancing toward the hallway leading to the living room. Julian shook his head slowly, leaning back against his leather chair with a dark, calculating stare.
“She knows nothing about her father's past, and I intend to keep it that way until we neutralize this threat,” Julian stated firmly. He stood up, adjusting his suit jacket as he prepared to step out and face the storm.
“What are your orders, boss? Do we hit their safehouses across the North Side tonight?” Derek asked, resting his hand near his holster. Julian walked toward the door, pausing with his hand on the brass handle.
“We don't hit anyone yet, Derek; we let Sterling think his trap has worked until he makes a mistake,” Julian commanded. He stepped out of the study, walking quietly down the hallway toward the kitchen where Maya was sitting with a cup of tea.
Maya looked up as he entered, her expression softening into a warm, gentle smile that made Julian’s chest ache with protective guilt. She had no idea that a war was brewing around her very existence.
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“Everything alright in the black hole of corporate finance?” Maya asked lightly, taking a sip from her mug. Julian walked over, pulling out the chair beside her and sitting down with a calm, practiced facade.
“Everything is under control, Maya; you don't have to worry about a single thing ever again,” Julian promised, reaching across the table to hold her hand. She squeezed his fingers gently, trusting him completely without knowing the danger lurking outside.
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