Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
The atmosphere inside the subterranean command center turned ice-cold.
Maya sat in a leather chair while Arthur stood before the wall of monitors, flanked by Dominic and Federal Prosecutor Sarah Jenkins, who had joined the emergency conference via a secure video link.
"Kozlov’s men are professionals," Dominic explained, displaying a tactical profile on the main screen. "They specialize in making target eliminations look like accidental structural fires or vehicle failures. They won't attack the estate directly—it's too heavily fortified. They’ll wait until Maya leaves the grounds for a public appearance."
"The New York gala next Friday," Maya said quietly, her voice steady despite the terrifying reality of the situation. "That’s where they expect me to be."
"You aren't going to New York," Arthur declared flatly, turning to her. "I am shutting down all public appearances until Kozlov and his network are taken into custody."
"No," Maya said, standing up.
Arthur blinked, surprised by her sudden firmness. "Maya, this isn't a legal debate. These are high-level enforcement contractors—"
"And if we hide, they’ll just wait," Maya interrupted, stepping toward the main screen, her eyes burning with an incredible, unexpected resilience. "They’ll wait a month, six months, a year. I spent twelve years running from poverty and fear, Arthur. I am not going to spend the rest of my life hiding in this house while Vanessa sits in a cell pulling strings!"
Arthur stared at her, his grey eyes locked onto hers, seeing not a victim, but a partner with an iron will.
"What are you proposing?" Prosecutor Jenkins asked through the monitor.
"We give them the target," Maya proposed, her voice unwavering. "We announce that I will be attending a private charity dinner at the Drake Hotel in Chicago this Thursday. We let Kozlov’s team move into position. But instead of an unprotected target, they find Arthur’s security team and the FBI waiting for them."
Dominic looked at Arthur, a slow, approving grin spreading across his face. "A controlled lure. If we leak the itinerary through Vanessa’s lawyer’s compromised office line, Kozlov will take the bait."
Arthur didn't answer immediately. He walked over to Maya, looking down into her face with deep concern.
"It’s dangerous, Maya," Arthur whispered softly so the monitors wouldn't catch it. "If even one element of the perimeter fails—"
"You won't let it fail," Maya said with absolute trust, resting her hand against his chest, feeling the steady, powerful beat of his heart. "I know you won't."
May you like
Arthur looked at her for three long seconds, feeling the immense weight of her trust resting on his shoulders. He turned back to Dominic.
"Set up the operation," Arthur commanded, his voice dripping with lethal intent. "Call the FBI tactical division. If Kozlov’s men set one foot inside the Drake Hotel... I don't want them arrested. I want them neutralized."
