Chapter 14 - The Federal Raid on the Senator’s Office
The live broadcast from Manhattan descended into absolute chaos as reporters shouted over one another, demanding answers about the leaked financial ledgers scrolling across millions of screens nationwide.
Senator Vance stammered incoherently into the microphones, attempting to dismiss the documents as fabricated cyber-attacks before abruptly fleeing the stage under a barrage of flashing camera lights.
Back at the mountain cabin, Julian leaned back in his wooden chair, a quiet, satisfied smile touching the corners of his lips as he watched the political titan squirm on live television.
"The attorney general’s office just issued an emergency subpoena for the senator's financial records," Nick announced, reading a flash notification on his encrypted satellite phone.
"Federal marshals are already descending on his midtown campaign headquarters and his Washington office."
"Good," Julian said, standing up and stretching his arms. "The political shield protecting Victoria and her handlers just shattered into a million pieces."
"What's our next move, Julian?" Nick asked, looking at his cousin with newfound respect. "The syndicate still has operatives roaming free across the city. They won't go down without a fight."
"We draw them out into the open," Julian stated calmly, his dark eyes hardening with tactical precision.
"Victoria is likely hiding out at one of the syndicate’s secondary safehouses in Brooklyn, waiting for instructions now that her uncle has been exposed."
"We flush her out, hand her over to Nick’s old federal contacts, and dismantle the remaining supply chains once and for all," Julian concluded, reaching for his jacket.
"What about Lily?" Nick asked, glancing toward the back room where the little girl was quietly coloring in a workbook.
"She stays right here with me," a calm, resolute voice echoed from the doorway.
It was Elena Vance—Nick’s wife and a former tactical medic—who had quietly arrived via the back trail ten minutes prior to secure the safehouse perimeter while the men planned their strike.
Elena walked into the main room, offering a warm, reassuring smile to Julian. "I've secured the perimeter, and the cabin is locked down tight. Lily is in good hands, Julian. Go finish this."
May you like
Julian nodded gratefully, knowing that with Elena guarding the lodge, Lily was safer here than anywhere else in the state of New York.
"Let’s go hunting," Julian said, grabbing his car keys and walking out into the crisp mountain air beside his cousin.
