Chapter 1 — The Man Who Woke Up Too Soon

Grace's hand trembled as she placed the flash drive beneath Dominic's pillow.

"I found the recorder while cleaning Miss Hale's office," she whispered. "It automatically backed up every conversation."

Dominic remained perfectly still.

Only when Grace quietly slipped from the room did his right hand move.

Slowly.

Painfully.

His fingers closed around the tiny flash drive.

Exactly five minutes later, Dr. Alan Mercer entered for his routine examination.

Without looking toward the security camera, Dominic finally opened his eyes.

"They've moved faster than I expected," he said hoarsely.

Mercer's face remained calm, though relief filled his eyes.

"I assumed today's whisper meant something had changed."

Dominic handed him the flash drive.

"Lock every door. No one enters without your approval."

Within twenty minutes, Mercer had watched the recordings.

Every word.

Veronica discussing Dominic's death.

Anthony arranging forged signatures.

The senator promising legal protection.

Most chilling of all...

A recording from six days earlier.

Anthony's voice.

"The brake lines are done."

Veronica laughed softly.

"Good."

"When he dies, I'll finally become Mrs. Moretti."

Mercer looked up.

"They murdered Nico."

Dominic's jaw tightened.

"Nico died because he drove my car."

Silence settled between them.

Then Dominic reached for his phone.

Only one number existed that never appeared on company records.

Paul Vitale answered after one ring.

"Boss?"

"I'm awake."

The old consigliere broke down before speaking again.

"I knew it."

"No," Dominic replied quietly.

"You hoped."

"There's a difference."

Paul's breathing steadied.

"What do you need?"

Dominic's voice became ice.

"Prepare the family."

"Friday."

"They're expecting my funeral."

"They'll get something else instead."