Chapter 4 - The Spider’s Web
By nightfall, the Romano estate had transformed into an impenetrable fortress. Over fifty of Dominic’s elite security personnel patrol the grounds, supported by heavy tactical vehicles and private surveillance drones hovering over the tree line.
Upstairs in the master wing, Ava was resting comfortably in a plush, custom cradle that Dominic had ordered delivered by express courier within two hours of the attack. Her fever had completely broken, her cheeks restored to a healthy, soft pink.
I sat at the massive mahogany dining table downstairs, wearing a soft cashmere sweater provided by the estate staff. Across from me sat Dominic, his chief of security Marcus, and two high-ranking corporate attorneys.
"Vance knows his tactical team failed," Marcus reported, sliding a tablet across the table. "He’s pulled his men back to his high-rise tower in Midtown—The Vance Building. He’s secured the top three floors with private security contractors."
"He’s panicking," Dominic said, sipping his dark coffee. "He knows Claire is under my protection, and he knows we have the ledger codes from the locket."
"Can we hand the codes to the FBI?" I asked, looking at the two attorneys. "If these codes prove Vance is laundering cartel money, can't the government just arrest him?"
One of the attorneys shook his head grimly. "Julian Vance owns half the federal judges in the Southern District, Ms. Claire. If we hand this over through normal channels, the evidence will vanish before it reaches a courtroom, and Vance will use his legal team to tie you up in custody battles for the rest of your life."
"Then we don't use normal channels," Dominic said coldly.
He turned to look at me, his eyes sharp and analytical. "Vance has called an emergency board meeting for tomorrow night at 8:00 PM at his Midtown tower. He’s attempting to transfer his remaining legitimate assets out of the country before the ledger codes can be decrypted by my team."
"What are you going to do?" I asked, a knot of worry tightening in my stomach.
"I’m going to attend his board meeting," Dominic replied smoothly. "And I’m going to take everything he owns."
"Dominic, it’s a trap!" I insisted, leaning forward across the table. "He knows you’ll come after him! He’s expecting you!"
"He’s expecting an army of my men to attack his front lobby," Dominic smiled—a cold, deadly tilt of his lips that sent a shiver down my spine. "He isn't expecting me to walk through his front door with a complete legal takeover built on his own stolen ledger."
He reached out, covering my hand on the table. "I’m not going to fight him in the streets, Claire. I’m going to destroy him where it hurts him most: his empire."
Just then, a light cry echoed from the baby monitor sitting beside my coffee cup.
Dominic’s expression softened instantly. The terrifying crime lord vanished in a heartbeat. He stood up, looking down at me with a warmth that made my heart flutter.
"Go check on Ava," he said softly. "I'll have the kitchen bring up some dinner for you."
May you like
I stood up, stepping close to him. Without thinking, I reached out and gently smoothed down the lapel of his charcoal suit jacket. "Be careful, Dominic. Please."
Dominic froze for a second, surprised by my gesture, before reaching up to gently squeeze my fingers. "Always, Claire."
