Chapter 4 - The Counter-Strike
While Dante was burning down his remaining alliances in Chicago, Amara sat in the sunlit conference room of Julian’s law firm on the thirty-fourth floor of the Prudential Building.
Across the table sat Federal Prosecutor Marcus Kane—a man who had spent the last seven years trying, and failing, to put Dante Moretti behind bars.
"Mrs. Moretti," Kane said, leaning back in his chair, examining the thick black binder sitting between them. "You understand that if I open this folder, there is no going back? This isn't a civil divorce proceeding. This is federal racketeering."
Amara took a quiet sip of her chamomile tea. She wore a simple navy blue maternity dress, her dark hair pinned up neatly, her expression serene and undisturbed.
"I understand completely, Mr. Kane," Amara said. "But you're mistaken about one detail."
Kane raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"That binder doesn't contain evidence against the Moretti family," Amara explained smoothly. "It contains evidence specifically detailing the financial fraud, embezzlement, and unauthorized arms sales conducted exclusively by Dante Moretti and his uncle, Lorenzo."
Kane opened the binder, his eyes scanning the meticulously organized financial logs, wire transfer receipts, and recorded phone transcripts. His jaw slowly dropped as he realized what he was looking at.
"This... this completely insulates the legitimate business entities," Kane muttered. "The hotels, the real estate holdings, the transport company..."
"Those legitimate entities belong to the Moretti Educational Trust," Julian chimed in from beside Amara. "Which is ninety-nine percent owned by Amara Moretti and her unborn child. My client has spent the last eight years insulating the clean side of the family business from her husband's illegal side hustles."
Kane looked at Amara with a newfound sense of awe. "You set him up."
"I didn't set him up, Mr. Kane," Amara said softly, her eyes flashing with a sharp, cold light. "I simply recorded what he chose to do. When I married Dante, I believed he wanted to build a clean future for our children. My father-in-law wanted that too. But Dante got greedy. He wanted the prestige of being a legitimate CEO, but he wanted the fast money of the streets."
She set her teacup down with a soft clink.
"He made his choice when he brought his mistress into my home and told me to know my place," Amara said. "Now I am making mine."
Kane closed the binder with a heavy thud. "If half of these documents verify, I can have a federal warrant for Dante Moretti’s arrest signed by a judge by Friday morning."
"Make it Thursday," Amara requested gently. "On Thursday afternoon, Dante is hosting his annual charity gala at the Drake Hotel. He thinks it will prove to the city that he is still in control."
Kane smirked. "A public arrest at the Drake Hotel? That's ruthless, Mrs. Moretti."
"No, Mr. Kane," Amara replied, standing up with Julian's assistance. "It's justice. He wanted a public spectacle. I'm just providing the entertainment."
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As they stepped out of the office building into the crisp afternoon air, Julian leaned toward her. "Dante’s men have been spotted near your old apartment in River North. He’s closing in on your past footprints, Amara. He knows you're using old family connections."
Amara smiled, stopping near the back door of her driver-driven car. "Good. I want him looking in the past, Julian. Because while he’s looking backward, he won't see the future coming until it hits him square in the chest."
