Chapter 10 - THE ASHES OF CHICAGO
By 6:00 a.m., the power dynamic of Chicago had fundamentally shifted. The Rossi family was dismantled. Judge Carter’s corruption was anonymously leaked to the FBI, along with Celeste Vane’s confession, which Lorenzo had recorded on a burner phone. Celeste was dropped at a police station, utterly ruined, facing life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit murder.
Lorenzo stood on the balcony of his secure penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan, watching the sunrise over the water. The city looked peaceful, ignorant of the blood that had been spilled to keep it that way.
Evelyn stood beside him. She had showered, changed into some clothes Lorenzo's staff had brought her, and looked entirely different from the terrified girl in the cheap uniform just ten hours prior.
"The police are going to find my apartment," Evelyn said quietly, holding a mug of hot coffee. "They're going to know I helped you."
"Your apartment burned down due to a faulty radiator three hours ago," Lorenzo said without looking away from the sunrise. "Tragic accident. Fortunately, you weren't home."
Evelyn blinked. "You burned down my apartment?"
"I burned down your debts," Lorenzo corrected, finally turning to look at her. "You saved my life, Evelyn. A Moretti never leaves a debt unpaid. Your uncle's offshore accounts have been quietly rerouted. You have a new passport, a new name if you want it, and enough money to live anywhere in the world."
May you like
Evelyn looked down at the city. She had spent her whole life barely surviving in it. Now, it felt like it was hers.
"And what if I don't want to leave?" she asked, looking up to meet his dark, intense gaze.
