Chapter 14 - The Unraveling Syndicate
By sunrise, the Detroit syndicate had effectively ceased to exist. Their assets were seized, their leadership eliminated or scattered into hiding, and their smuggling corridors absorbed entirely into the Moretti logistics network.
The underworld whispered in terrified awe. The rumor that Dominic Moretti had grown weak because of two orphaned girls was violently crushed beneath the iron heel of his retaliation. He wasn't soft; he was apex territory protected by an unshakeable maternal fury masked in a mob boss's shell.
When Dominic returned to Corven Tower, his clothes smelled faintly of cordite and winter air. He bypassed the penthouse showers, walking straight down the corridor to the girls' bedroom.
The door was ajar. Ella was curled up with her stuffed rabbit, while Nora was awake, reading a battered fairy tale book he had bought her the previous week.
Nora looked up as he entered, her green eyes scanning his tired face, noticing the slight scuff on his jawline from the chaos of the night.
"Did you win?" she asked simply.
Dominic pulled up a small wooden chair, sitting beside her bed and taking her small hand in his large, calloused palm.
"There are no enemies left who can hurt you, Nora," Dominic said, his voice dropping all its harsh edges. "The monsters are gone."
May you like
Nora nodded slowly, satisfied, and closed her book. "Good. Because Ella wants to plant tomatoes on the balcony tomorrow, and you promised to help us dig the dirt."
Dominic smiled, a genuine, warm expression that only these two little girls could ever summon from his soul. "I promised. And I keep my word."
