Chapter 5 - THE MEATPACKING PLANT
The abandoned meatpacking plant on the edge of the Industrial River was a rotting remnant of the city’s industrial past. Rusted steel beams, broken windows, and the stench of decay filled the freezing air as rain poured down from the black night sky.
Inside the subterranean basement, lit only by a few flickering overhead bulbs, Evelyn Vance was tied to a heavy wooden chair. Her face was bruised, her lips chapped and bleeding, and her clothes were torn from her struggle when Moretti’s men had abducted her. Despite her injuries, her eyes burned with fierce resilience.
Standing in front of her was Sal Moretti, Dominic’s younger, far more violent brother. He paced back and forth, holding a heavy iron pipe, his face twisted in frustration as he checked his phone for the tenth time.
“Why isn't Dominic answering?” Sal muttered angrily, kicking a rusted metal barrel. He turned to face Evelyn. “Your little boyfriend is playing games. He ruined our legal accounts this morning. But it doesn't matter. Once he shows up at the South Docks tonight, we’re going to end him.”
Evelyn spat a mouthful of blood onto the concrete floor and looked up at him with a cold smile. “You don't know Holden. If you took me, he isn't waiting for tonight. He’s already coming for you.”
Sal laughed harshly, raising the pipe. “He doesn't know where you are, bitch! Nobody knows about this place!”
Suddenly, the heavy reinforced steel door at the top of the basement stairs groaned.
Sal froze. “Who’s there? Marco?”
No answer came, only the heavy, rhythmic echoing of footsteps descending the concrete steps.
Sal pulled a heavy pistol from his waistband and cocked it. “Show yourself!”
Out of the shadows stepped Holden Cross.
Evelyn gasped, tears springing to her eyes. “Holden...”
Holden didn't look at Sal. His eyes locked onto Evelyn, absorbing every bruise, every drop of blood on her skin. A cold, terrifying fury settled deep inside his chest.
“You...” Sal stammered, stepping back in shock. “How did you find this place? Where is Dominic?!”
Holden stepped aside. Marcus dragged a beaten, bloody, and zip-tied Dominic down the stairs, throwing him onto the concrete at Sal’s feet.
“Dominic!” Sal cried out in horror.
“Put the gun down, Sal,” Dominic wept from the floor. “It’s over! He destroyed everything! Just give him the woman!”
Sal’s face contorted with insane rage. “No! We don't yield to this bastard!” He swung his pistol, aiming it directly at Evelyn’s head. “Step back, Cross, or I blow her brains out right now!”
Before Sal’s finger could squeeze the trigger, a massive black shape launched itself from the shadow of the stairwell.
Phantom leaped through the air with incredible speed, his jaws clamping down tightly around Sal’s right forearm. Sal screamed in agony as the heavy pistol clattered to the floor. The force of the strike knocked Sal to the ground, with Phantom standing over him, holding him down with terrifying strength.
Holden walked forward calmly. He picked up the dropped gun, ejected the magazine, and tossed the weapon aside. He didn't even look at Sal, who was sobbing and screaming under Phantom’s grip.
Holden reached Evelyn. He dropped to his knees, pulled out a pocketknife, and sliced through the ropes binding her wrists and ankles.
As soon as she was free, Evelyn threw her arms around Holden’s neck, burying her face into his shoulder. She sobbed uncontrollably, the strength she had maintained for days finally shattering.
“Holden... oh God, Holden...” she wept.
Holden held her tightly, pressing his face into her hair, smelling the familiar scent of lavender beneath the dirt and blood. “I’ve got you, Evie. I’m here. You’re safe.”
Evelyn pulled back slightly, her hands trembling as she grabbed his coat. “Lily... did she—?”
“She’s safe,” Holden whispered softly, smiling through the pain in his chest. “She found me, Evie. She walked right into the estate. She’s warm, she’s fed, and she’s waiting for you at home.”
Evelyn closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath of immense relief as tears ran down her bruised cheeks. “She came to you... thank God.”
Holden stood up, helping Evelyn to her feet and wrapping his heavy trench coat around her shoulders to protect her from the cold. He turned to look at Dominic and Sal.
“What are you going to do with us?” Dominic whimpered from the floor.
Holden looked at them with utter disgust. “I promised I wouldn't kill you if you gave me Evelyn. I keep my word. But the federal agents waiting outside won't be so merciful. You’re going to spend the rest of your lives in a maximum-security prison for treason, racketeering, and kidnapping.”
Marcus stepped forward with four armed guards, hauling the Moretti brothers up to take them into federal custody.
Holden turned to Phantom. “Release,” he commanded gently.
May you like
Phantom immediately let go of Sal’s arm, stepped back, and trotted over to Evelyn, nudging her hand with his broad head. Evelyn smiled tearfully, dropping to her knees to wrap her arms around the dog’s neck.
“Good boy, Phantom,” she whispered softly. “Thank you for protecting our family.”
