Chapter 4 - The Shadows Gather
Four days passed, and Steel Manor—as the staff secretly called the estate—began to feel like a real home.
Ava and I established a daily routine: tutoring in the morning, painting and music in the afternoon, and walks through the private walled gardens before sunset. Ava’s nightmares began to fade, replaced by peaceful sleep.
Dominic, who usually spent sixteen hours a day away from the house managing his underground operations and legitimate shipping businesses, began coming home for dinner every night.
Sitting at the grand mahogany dining table, the three of us ate meals together, laughing and sharing stories. To anyone looking through the windows, we looked like a normal, happy family.
But beneath the surface, a deadly storm was brewing across Chicago.
On Thursday evening, while Ava was upstairs taking a bath under Mrs. Russo’s supervision, I walked down to the library to return a book.
The heavy oak doors of Dominic’s study were slightly ajar. Low, tense voices drifted out into the hallway.
"The Romanovs are mobilizing, boss," Marco, Dominic’s second-in-command, was saying. "Dimitri Romanov knows Marcus sang before he died. He knows we wiped out his West Side distribution hubs. He's desperate."
"Desperate men make fatal mistakes," Dominic’s voice sounded grim.
"He's hiring outside mercenaries," Marco warned. "Former Spetsnaz. They aren't looking for a gang war on the streets, Dominic. They're coming for you directly. They know Ava is your weak point."
I gripped the edge of the hallway wall, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Increase the perimeter security by fifty men," Dominic ordered coldly. "Position snipers on the East and West towers. If any vehicle approaches the gates without cleared credentials, eliminate them."
"And the girl? Emily?" Marco asked. "She's an civilian, Dominic. If a war breaks out here, she could get caught in the crossfire."
Silence fell over the room for a long moment.
"Emily stays," Dominic said, his voice dropping to a fierce, protective tone. "She is the only person Ava trusts. I will protect them both with my life."
I backed away quietly, my chest tight. I knew Dominic was a dangerous man—a kingpin in a ruthless world—but standing in that hallway, knowing he was ready to face an army to keep us safe, I didn't feel afraid of him.
I felt a dangerous, terrifying warmth growing in my heart for Dominic Moretti.
When I returned to the living room, Dominic was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out into the dark, foggy night.
"You overheard," he said, without turning around.
I paused near the fireplace. "I heard enough."
Dominic turned around slowly, his expression heavy with guilt. "I should send you away, Emily. It's dangerous here. I can set you up in a private apartment in New York or Los Angeles until this is over."
I walked over to him, stopping just a foot away, looking directly into his stormy gray eyes.
"I promised Ava I wouldn't leave," I said softly. "And I don't break my promises."
Dominic stared at me, his breath hitching slightly. "You don't know what these men are capable of, Emily. They are monsters."
"I know who you are, Dominic," I said, reaching out and gently touching his sleeve. "And I know you won't let anything happen to us."
Dominic pulled me closer, his hand cupping the back of my neck, his thumb tracing my jawline. The air between us burned with an intense, magnetic heat.
"I would burn this entire city to ash before I let anyone hurt you, Emily," Dominic whispered, his face inches from mine.
Before either of us could cross that final line, a loud, thunderous explosion rocked the eastern wing of the mansion.
May you like
BOOM!
Shattered glass rained down from the upper balcony. The estate's emergency sirens began to blare, tearing through the quiet night.
