Part 5: Breaking the Frost
Lily stopped right beside the bed, her small face scrunched up with worry as she stared at my frozen form. The sub-zero chill radiating from my body caused her to shiver slightly, but she didn't turn back.
In the shadows near the balcony, Vanessa’s silhouette shifted. The faint, metallic click of a safety switch being flicked off echoed softly through the quiet room, masked only by the howling wind outside.
My mind screamed in fury. I poured every ounce of my remaining willpower, every drop of the mafia king's ruthless determination, into breaking the paralysis holding my body hostage.
Move, I cursed inwardly, fighting the ice in my veins. Move!
Lily reached out her small hand, pressing her palm against my frozen wrist.
Suddenly, a violent surge of raw, scorching heat surged through my veins—not the burning agony of the poison, but a brilliant, golden flash of pure life. It was as if the little girl’s touch had struck a match inside a frozen cavern.
The ice shattering through my bloodstream sounded like glass breaking. Color rushed back into my cheeks, and my fingers snapped forward, catching Vanessa’s wrist just as she stepped out from the shadows with the pistol raised toward Lily.
“Drop it,” I whispered.
My voice wasn't weak anymore. It was low, lethal, and dripping with absolute murder.
Vanessa gasped, stumbling backward as the gun slipped from her numb fingers and clattered onto the Persian rug. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief as she stared at me, upright and breathing heavily, the frost melting off my skin in small droplets of water.
“You... you should be paralyzed for another hour!” Vanessa stammered, her composure shattering completely. “The peptide—it completely blocks nerve conduction!”
“Your science is impressive, Vanessa,” I said, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The floor felt cold beneath my bare feet, but the paralyzing chill was gone, replaced by a terrifying, hyper-focused adrenaline. I stood up to my full height, towering over her. “Too bad you didn't account for family.”
Lily looked up between us, blinking in confusion. “Mister? Are you okay now?”
I looked down at the little girl, softening my expression instantly. I knelt down so I was eye-level with her. “I’m better than okay, kiddo. Can you be a big girl for a second? Go down the hall and find Dr. Harris. Tell him to bring security into the master suite right now.”
Lily nodded solemnly. “Okay!” She turned and dashed out the door, her bare feet pattering quickly against the hallway floor.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I turned my attention back to Vanessa. All pretense of civility, of engagements, and corporate partnerships vanished. The mafia boss Chicago feared had returned, and he was furious.
Vanessa backed up until her spine hit the heavy French doors leading to the balcony. Her breath hitched, fear finally taking root in her eyes. “Dante... wait. You can’t do anything to me. My father controls half the city council. If I disappear, the Outfit will tear your empire apart from the inside out.”
“Your father is currently answering federal subpoenas for wire fraud and tax evasion,” I said smoothly, stepping closer. “My legal team filed the indictments three days ago, while you were busy playing nurse. I just accelerated the timeline.”
Before Vanessa could answer, the door burst open. Dr. Harris rushed in, flanked by four armed security enforcers in dark suits.
“Mr. Vance!” Dr. Harris gasped, looking at me standing completely upright and healthy. “Your vitals... how is this possible? The panels showed severe systemic failure just minutes ago!”
“Dr. Harris,” I commanded, pointing a finger at the silver thermos and the Beretta on the floor. “Secure those items. Package the residue from that syringe for independent lab analysis—outside of Chicago jurisdiction. And escort Miss Vale to the lower holding vault.”
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“You can’t do this!” Vanessa screamed as two of the enforcers grabbed her arms, dragging her toward the door. “My father will destroy you! This isn't over, Dante!”
“It’s over, Vanessa,” I said coldly, watching her get hauled out of the room. “And tell your father I’ll take those shipping docks for a dollar.”
