Chapter 8 - The Betrayal at the DocksBy late January, snow covered the twelve wooded acres of the Lake Forest estate. The perimeter was guarded around the clock, but Victor Vane was a desperate man who knew that time was running out.
Victor knew he couldn't breach the heavy defenses of Gabriel’s Lake Forest mansion directly. He needed to draw Gabriel out—away from his fortress, away from his army of men.
The trap was sprung on a bitter Tuesday night.
Vance rushed into Gabriel’s study at 10:00 p.m. "Boss, we have a crisis at Dock 14. One of our main shipping containers carrying industrial equipment was hijacked by armed men. They killed two of our night guards and took three others hostage."
Gabriel stood up, his face darkening. "Who was it?"
"It has Vane’s signature all over it," Vance said. "They left a message with the dock authority: Victor Vane wants to meet you personally at the old grain silo near the river to settle the contract once and for all."
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. "It's an ambush."
"Of course it is," Vance agreed. "We should send forty men and flatten the whole industrial park."
"No," Gabriel said. "If we bring a full army, they will execute the hostages before we reach the gates. I go in with six men. You lead the breach team from the rear."
Before leaving, Gabriel went up to the second floor to check on Grace and Ellie. He stood at the doorway of Ellie’s bedroom, watching her sleep peacefully beneath her warm blankets, Lily’s teddy bear tucked tightly under her arm.
Grace stood beside him in the hallway, wrapping her wool sweater tightly around her shoulders. She saw the heavy black tactical coat Gabriel was wearing and the holster hidden beneath his arm.
"Be careful," Grace whispered, her hazel eyes filled with deep anxiety. "Please come back to us."
Gabriel reached out, his long fingers gently cupping her jaw. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead—a gentle, deliberate promise.
May you like
"I will always come back to you, Grace," he said. "I have a family to come home to now."
Ten minutes later, Gabriel’s convoy of three black SUVs sped out of the Lake Forest gates, heading south toward the frozen, industrial banks of the Chicago River.
