Chapter 7 - The Lakehaven Hid a Ledger That Could Destroy Chicago’s Most Powerful Men
The Lakehaven became the center of everything.
Dominic flew back to Chicago with Avery and Samuel.
The building was nearly complete.
But hidden beneath the polished floors were secrets older than any of them.
Avery studied the original plans.
“There.”
She pointed to the basement.
A wall that didn't exist on modern documents.
Dominic ordered the section opened.
Behind it was a narrow chamber.
Inside stood an old steel safe.
Avery entered the combination using a sequence from her father's letter.
The safe opened.
Inside lay a ledger.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Judges.
Police officials.
Politicians.
Corporate executives.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Victor Vale.
Dominic's uncle.
Avery looked at him.
“Your uncle?”
Dominic's face hardened.
“My uncle was supposed to be dead.”
Samuel shook his head.
“He isn't.”
Dominic understood.
Victor had been running the network from behind the scenes.
Rourke was his enforcer.
Martin was his corporate connection.
Eleanor had once worked under him.
The entire mystery led back to one man.
Victor Vale.
Dominic's uncle called that night.
“You've always been difficult.”
Dominic answered.
“You killed my father.”
“I removed an obstacle.”
“You destroyed my family.”
“I protected mine.”
“You're not family.”
Victor laughed.
“You'll understand when Avery is dead.”
The call ended.
Avery stood beside Dominic.
“You're not killing him.”
Dominic looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because if you do, you'll become exactly what everyone thinks you are.”
He looked away.
She touched his arm.
“You told me you wanted out.”
“Yes.”
“Then get out.”
Dominic made a decision.
He would dismantle the entire network legally.
But Victor would come for them before that happened.
The next attack came within twelve hours.
Avery was leaving Lakehaven when two SUVs blocked the street.
Men rushed toward her.
Dominic's security team intervened.
Avery ran inside.
Someone followed.
She reached the unfinished ballroom.
The man behind her was Rourke.
He raised a gun.
Dominic appeared between them.
“Leave her.”
Rourke smiled.
“She was always the weak point.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“She is my strength.”
The fight was brutal.
Rourke was older but experienced.
Dominic took a cut across the cheek.
Avery screamed.
Rourke aimed at her.
Dominic moved.
The shot missed Avery and struck Dominic in the shoulder.
He staggered.
Avery grabbed a metal rod and struck Rourke from behind.
He fell.
Security rushed in.
Dominic collapsed into her arms.
“Stay with me.”
He smiled weakly.
“Bossing me around again?”
“Shut up.”
She cried.
“Please.”
He touched her face.
“I'm here.”
At the hospital, Avery refused to leave.
Dominic survived.
The bullet had missed his heart by inches.
Victor disappeared.
Samuel helped investigators identify the names in the ledger.
Federal authorities began building cases.
But one question remained.
Eleanor.
Avery's mother.
She emerged three days later.
She walked into Dominic's hospital room.
Avery stared.
For twenty years she had imagined that moment.
“You're alive.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I am.”
“You left us.”
“Yes.”
“You worked with them.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
Eleanor looked at Dominic.
“Because I was afraid.”
Avery's eyes filled.
“You were supposed to protect us.”
“I thought I was.”
“No.”
Avery shook her head.
“You protected yourself.”
Eleanor began to cry.
“I regretted it every day.”
Avery turned away.
“It's too late.”
Maybe it was.
Not every wound could be repaired.
But the truth could finally exist.
And for Avery, that mattered.
Outside the hospital room, Dominic watched Eleanor leave.
“She'll never forgive her.”
“No,” Avery said.
“But she might forgive herself.”
Dominic reached for her hand.
“Come here.”
Avery sat beside him.
He kissed her forehead.
“I love you.”
She smiled through tears.
“I love you too.”
Then a federal agent entered.
“We found Victor.”
Dominic looked up.
“Where?”
The agent placed a photograph on the table.
An airport.
A boarding gate.
A woman beside Victor.
May you like
Avery stared.
It was Claire.
