Chapter 5 - The Gathering Storm
"Lock down the building," Dominic ordered, standing up instantly, the gentle father figure vanishing, replaced by the cold mafia boss. "Deploy the secondary guard tier to the lobby. No one enters this floor unless they want a bullet."
Elena immediately picked up Sophie, sensing the change in the air. "What’s happening, Dominic?"
"Matteo knows about the children," Dominic said, walking over to his wall safe to retrieve his firearm. "He’s going to move against us. I need to eliminate the threat before he can assemble his crew."
"No! No more violence, Dominic!" Elena cried out, her voice filled with panic. "This is exactly why I ran! I won't let my children grow up surrounded by bodyguards and blood!"
Dominic grabbed her by the shoulders, his gaze intense. "Elena, listen to me. Five years ago, I didn't know you were in danger, and I let you go. I will not make that mistake again. Matteo is a rabid dog. If I don't put him down, he will hunt our children to the ends of the earth. Do you understand me? I am protecting my blood."
Caleb ran over, tugging on Dominic’s trousers. "Are you our daddy?" the boy asked, his pale blue eyes looking up with a heartbreaking sincerity.
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Dominic froze. He slowly dropped to one knee, looking at his son. He had never admitted it aloud yet. "Yes, Caleb," Dominic said, his voice thick with an emotion he hadn't felt in five years. "I am your daddy. And I promise you, nothing is ever going to hurt you or your siblings again."
Dominic stood up, looking at Gabriel who had just entered the room. "Take the children to the reinforced panic room behind the master closet. Elena, stay with them. Gabriel, come with me. We are going to Cicero."
