Chapter 6 - Footsteps in the HallLily stood in the doorway. She wasn't in her pajamas this time; she wore a bright yellow dress with little sunflowers, clutching her one-eared rabbit under one arm. Behind her, Sophia stood paralyzed, terrified, whispering frantic apologies.
"Mr. Moretti," Lily announced clearly, ignoring the assembly of terrifying men in expensive suits. "Leo the lion needs a bedtime story tonight. The elephant is lonely."
A nervous chuckle escaped from one of the councilmen, quickly swallowed by a cough under Dominic’s searing glare.
Dominic didn't yell. He didn't order Sophia to drag her away. Instead, a remarkably tender expression softened the harsh lines of his face. He stood up from his chair, pushing it back with a gentle scrape against the hardwood.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Dominic said quietly to the frozen table. "It's time for my story."
May you like
He walked past the stunned crowd, knelt down on one knee in front of the three-year-old, and offered her his hand. Without a shred of hesitation, Lily placed her tiny hand inside his massive palm.
As Dominic walked her back toward the private stairwell, carrying her up to the quiet sanctuary of the upper floors, Alessandro watched with murder in his eyes. The syndicate was slipping through his fingers. If Dominic was no longer broken, Alessandro had only one option left.
