Chapter 15: The Syndicate's Shadow
Raven Lake Lodge was locked down tighter than a military installation by midnight. Daniel had the security feeds dialed to maximum sensitivity, while Frank checked the perimeter patrols. Inside the expansive study, the documents Caleb brought lay scattered across the mahogany table like pieces of a deadly puzzle.
Ethan stood by the stone fireplace, holding the silver wolf pendant. The warm glow of the fire reflected in the metal, but his hands felt freezing. "So Vance wasn't the mastermind. He was just a puppet."
"A wealthy, ambitious puppet," Caleb corrected, standing near the window with a pair of tactical binoculars, scanning the dark tree line. "The people pulling the strings operate out of the state capital. High-level corporate executives, corrupt federal judges, and old-money syndicates who view human lives as acceptable collateral damage."
Jack walked over to Ethan, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Are you scared?"
Ethan looked up, meeting Jack's unwavering gaze. He thought about his mother, safe in her home; he thought about the foundation, the kids depending on them, and the memory of a father he never truly got to know. A strange, fierce calm settled over him.
"Not scared," Ethan said quietly. "Just ready to finish what they started twenty years ago."
Jack’s lips curved into a rare, proud smile. "That’s a Brooks for you." He turned to Caleb and Frank. "If these bastards think they can touch my family, they’ve picked the wrong war. Daniel, pull up every financial trail connected to the capital syndicate. Frank, arm the boys. We're going to draw them out into the open."
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Caleb lowered his binoculars and turned around, a dangerous glint in his gray eyes. "Careful, Jack. To draw a wolf out of the woods, you have to use yourself as bait."
"Good," Jack replied, his voice cold and lethal. "Let's see if they bite."
