Chapter 6 - The Shadows Return
While Clara was finding peace in Riverdale, storm clouds were gathering in the city below.
The news of Vince Carrow’s crushed ankle had sent shockwaves through the New York underworld.
Sal Carrow’s boss—an ambitious, ruthless kingpin named Anthony 'The Hammer' Moretti from Brooklyn—saw Dominic’s actions not as a defense of a waitress, but as a direct challenge to Brooklyn’s authority.
Moretti wanted control of the waterfront shipping docks that Dominic owned in New Jersey.
On a rainy Tuesday night, while Dominic was reviewing financial records in his home study, Marco entered the room, looking pale.
“Boss,” Marco said quietly. “We have a problem. Two of our delivery trucks coming out of the Jersey docks were firebombed an hour ago.”
Dominic set his pen down slowly.
“Moretti?”
“Yes,” Marco confirmed. “Moretti’s men left a message with the driver. They want fifty percent of the waterfront revenue... or they start bringing the war into Belmont.”
Dominic’s face turned into a cold mask of iron.
“They think I’ve gone soft,” Dominic murmured, standing up. “They think because I’m taking care of Clara, I’ve forgotten how to fight.”
“Moretti knows about Miss Jenkins,” Marco warned nervously. “He’s asking questions about where she is.”
The temperature in the study plummeted to absolute zero.
Dominic walked over to his wall safe, unlocked it, and pulled out a clean, black semi-automatic pistol, checking the magazine with a clean metallic click.
“Double the security guards around the estate perimeter,” Dominic ordered, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Nobody enters or leaves this property without my personal clearance.”
“And Moretti, boss?”
Dominic locked the gun into his shoulder holster and grabbed his coat.
“Tell Leo to assemble the full team,” Dominic growled. “We’re taking a trip to Brooklyn.”
As Dominic walked down the main hallway toward the front door, Clara stepped out of the living room, holding a warm sweater she had knitted for him.
She saw the gun under his jacket. She saw the cold, deadly expression on his face.
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
“Dominic?” she called out softly.
Dominic stopped. The cold mask instantly cracked, replaced by concern as he looked at her.
“Clara,” he said softly. “Go back inside. It’s cold out here.”
Clara walked up to him, taking his hand. Her fingers were trembling.
“Is it because of what happened at the restaurant?” she asked, tears gathering in her eyes. “Are people coming for you because of me?”
Dominic cupped her cheek with his broad hand, his thumb gently stroking her skin.
“Nobody is coming for me, Clara,” Dominic promised softly. “And nobody will ever touch you again. I’m just taking care of a debt.”
“Please be careful,” Clara whispered, leaning her face into his warm palm. “Please come back to me.”
Dominic looked at her—at the woman who had brought light, beauty, and love into his dark, violent life.
May you like
He leaned down, pressing his lips gently against her forehead.
“I will always come back to you,” Dominic whispered.
