Chapter 4 - The Shadow of the Moretti Syndicate
Four days passed in a whirlwind of intense discipline and unexpected warmth.
Every morning at six, the quadruplets worked alongside Serena and the estate maintenance staff, scrubbing the charred playroom walls. Marco proved to be a surprisingly good painter, Nico worked off his endless energy carrying heavy plaster bags, Alessandro organized the new furniture layouts, and Tommy stayed attached to Serena’s side, helping her mix paint colors.
Lucia quickly became the center of the boys' universe. At first, Marco had tried to intimidate her by showing off his martial arts kicks, but Lucia had simply handed him a picture book and asked him to read to her. The fierce six-year-old terror had turned into a stammering, devoted big brother overnight.
By Friday evening, the playroom was fully restored—painted a warm navy blue with a hand-painted galaxy on the ceiling that Serena and the boys had worked on together.
Victor walked into the room at seven o'clock. He stood under the painted stars, looking at his four clean, exhausted sons sitting on the carpet, listening to Lucia read a story about dragons.
Serena stepped out onto the adjoining balcony to catch the cool night air.
Victor followed her out. The spring breeze blew her dark hair across her face, and he found himself staring at the elegant curve of her throat.
"The room looks incredible," Victor said quietly, leaning his arms on the balcony stone beside her.
"They worked hard," Serena replied, smiling slightly. "They’re good boys, Victor. They just needed someone to give them boundaries that weren't enforced with fear."
Victor turned his head to look at her. "Is that what I do? Enforce with fear?"
Serena hesitated, looking out over the manicured gardens illuminated by floodlights. "You're a man who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. You protect them from the outside, but inside... they just miss their father."
Victor was silent for a long moment. "When Isabella died, I realized that every moment I spent playing with them was a moment I wasn't watching the perimeter. I thought if I kept them at a distance, it wouldn't hurt as much if... if Moretti got to them."
"Distance doesn't protect people from grief," Serena said softly, reaching out and gently touching his sleeve. "It just makes them feel alone while they suffer."
Victor looked down at her small hand on his arm. A strange, powerful electricity pulsed between them. He reached up, his large, calloused fingers brushing a stray lock of hair away from her cheek.
"Serena..." he murmured, his voice heavy with a feeling he hadn't allowed himself to experience in years.
Before he could say another word, the heavy balcony door burst open.
Frankie, Victor's head of security, stepped out, his face deadly pale, holding a secure satellite phone.
"Boss," Frankie said, his voice tight. "We have a breach."
Victor’s demeanor shifted in a microsecond. The softness vanished, replaced by the terrifying, cold aura of the Don. "Report."
"Julian Vance just filed an emergency injunction with the Manhattan Family Court," Frankie revealed. "He brought two Moretti lawyers with him. They’ve alleged that Serena kidnapped Lucia and is keeping her inside an active criminal compound."
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Serena gasped, her blood running cold. "What?! That's a lie!"
"It gets worse," Frankie continued. "The judge signed an immediate recovery order. A team of court marshals and NYPD officers are currently en route to the front gates with a warrant to seize Lucia."
