Chapter 3 - The Gathering Storm
By the next morning, news of the incident at the Brooklyn café had spread through the city's underground like wildfire. Vincent Vance, the ruthless Don who had spent the last five years consolidating power through cold blood and iron discipline, had a weakness. He had a wife, and she was carrying his heir.
Inside the grand study of the Vance mansion, Vincent stood behind his mahogany desk, listening to Luca's report. The room was dark, lit only by the morning sun filtering through heavy velvet curtains.
"The Moretti family is already making moves, Boss," Luca said, his expression grim. "They heard about what happened to Derek. They intercepted the men I sent to transport him to the warehouse. Derek is currently in the hands of Don Moretti."
Vincent’s eyes narrowed into slits. "Moretti thinks he can use a common street thug to leverage me?"
"Moretti knows Derek has intimate knowledge of Norah's past, her routines, and her vulnerabilities," Luca explained. "They are going to use him to plan a strike. With the news of Mrs. Vance's pregnancy leaking, every rival faction is going to see this as an opportunity to weaken your position."
Vincent slammed his fist onto the desk, rattling the crystal decanters. "Double the guard around the perimeter. No one enters or leaves this estate without my personal clearance. I want a team of private physicians brought here—Norah does not step foot inside a public hospital."
"Understood, Boss."
As Luca exited, the door to the adjoining room opened, and Norah stepped out. She was wearing a soft, cream-colored sweater that hid her neck bruises, but her face was pale. She had overheard everything.
"They're going to come for me, aren't they?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Because of the baby."
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Vincent walked around the desk, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his solid chest. "They will try, Norah. Because they are cowards who cannot face me directly. But they will fail. I built this empire to ensure no one could ever dictate my terms. Now, I am going to use it to destroy anyone who threatens my family."
He kissed the top of her head, his grip tight and unyielding. "You are my sanctuary, Norah. And I will turn this city into ashes before I let them take you from me."
