Chapter 5 - The War Commences
The betrayal ran far deeper than a simple theft.
Victor Romano was the head of the rival Romano syndicate—a ruthless mob boss who had been trying to expand into Alessandro’s Chicago territory for a decade. Cassian had sold out his own family for money and power, using Sophia as collateral damage to protect his treason.
"Where is Victor Romano now?" Alessandro asked coldly.
"He's... he's expecting me at the riverfront warehouse at midnight," Cassian wept, clutching his broken nose. "I was supposed to give him your master security codes tonight... in exchange for ten million dollars and safe passage to Switzerland!"
Alessandro stood up, pulling Cassian up by his collar and shoving him into the hands of two massive, armed enforcers who stepped into the study.
"Lock him in the basement," Alessandro ordered. "Keep him alive until midnight."
Alessandro walked over to his phone and called his chief security commander, Dante.
"Dante," Alessandro commanded. "Mobilize every soldier in the Moretti family. We are going to war."
Before leaving the mansion, Alessandro drove straight to St. Jude’s Hospital.
Inside the private, guarded room, Sophia was hooked up to an IV drip containing the neutralizing agent. Her cheeks were already regaining a flush of healthy color, and her fever had broken.
Little Emma was sitting on a chair beside the bed, holding a warm cup of apple juice.
When Alessandro entered, Emma jumped down and ran over to him, wrapping her tiny arms around his leg.
Alessandro knelt, picking the little girl up into his arms.
"How is Mommy?" Alessandro asked softly.
"Mommy spoke to me!" Emma smiled brightly. "She said she feels better!"
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Sophia looked up at Alessandro, tears of immense gratitude in her eyes. "Dr. Bianchi told me what you did, Mr. Moretti... You saved my life. I don't know how to ever repay you."
Alessandro gently patted Emma's back, looking at Sophia with a warmth he hadn't felt in twenty years. "You don't owe me anything, Sophia. It’s my job to protect the people under my roof. Get some rest... Tonight, I settle the bill."
