Chapter 4 - The Syndicate’s Threat
The breach at the estate was contained within twenty minutes, but the aftermath left three of Royce’s elite guards wounded.
When Royce returned at midnight, the fury emanating from him was so intense that even his most seasoned soldiers lowered their heads as he walked past. He marched straight down into the bunker, finding Della huddled under a wool blanket, trembling but unharmed.
The moment he saw her, the murderous rage in his eyes cracked, replaced by absolute terror for her safety. He dropped to his knees before her, wrapping his powerful arms around her waist, burying his face against her shoulder.
"I shouldn't have brought you here," Royce growled, his voice raw with self-hatred. "My world is poison, Della. I thought I could protect you, but my enemies know you're my weakness now."
Della, despite her fear, reached out and ran her fingers through his dark hair, soothing the tension in his rigid shoulders. "Who did this, Royce? Who are these people?"
Royce stood up, his face hardening into an expression of pure marble. "The Moretti Syndicate. They used to run the northern docks before my father tore their empire down ten years ago. Their old Don, Enzo Moretti, just got released from federal prison last week. He wants his territory back, and he knows that the easiest way to break me is to take the woman who saved my life."
"I'm not a mob wife, Royce," Della said softly, tears blurring her vision. "I'm just a waitress. I don't belong in a war."
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"You belong with me," Royce said fiercely, gripping her hand, his thumb brushing against her crescent scar. "Enzo Moretti thinks he can use you as leverage. He doesn't understand that by targeting you, he has signed his own death warrant. I am going to burn his entire lineage to the ground."
The next morning, Royce deployed his entire network. The city's underworld went into total lockdown. Every port, every illegal casino, and every warehouse belonging to the Moretti family was systematically raided by Calloway forces. The drama had officially escalated into an all-out turf war.
