Chapter 7
Domenico quietly pushed open the heavy oak doors to his private suite. The room was bathed in soft, warm light, a stark contrast to the harsh, bright reality of the reception hall below. Silas, the towering bodyguard, stood rigidly near the doorway, nodding respectfully as his boss entered.
Lily was sitting in the center of the massive, plush bed. She had changed out of her elegant reception dress and was now wearing a comfortable, soft set of pajamas. She was holding a different, older stuffed bear, but her bright blue eyes still held a lingering shadow of fear.
When the door clicked, she looked up.
"Daddy!" Lily cried, scrambling off the bed and running across the thick carpet in her bare feet.
Domenico dropped to one knee, completely ignoring the crease in his tailored trousers. He caught his daughter in a fierce, protective embrace, burying his face in her soft hair. He inhaled deeply, grounding himself in the reality of her safety. The cold, lethal executioner vanished entirely, replaced by a father whose only priority was his child.
"Are you okay, my sweet girl?" Domenico murmured softly, pulling back to gently trace the faint red mark still visible on her rosy cheek. The sight of it reignited the dark, violent fire in his chest, but he kept his face incredibly gentle.
"It hurts a little," Lily sniffled, leaning into his large, tattooed hand. "Aunt Genevieve was so mean, Daddy. She took my dino."
"I know, piccola. I know," Domenico whispered, kissing her forehead. "But she is gone now. She will never, ever hurt you or yell at you again. I promise."
"Are you mad at me for asking about the battery?" Lily asked innocently, her voice trembling slightly.
"Never," Domenico assured her, offering a genuine, breathtaking smile that entirely erased the intimidating Mafia boss. "You are very smart for noticing. You did exactly the right thing by telling me. You are the bravest girl in the world."
Lily smiled back, wrapping her small arms tightly around his neck.
Domenico stood up, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. He carried her back to the bed, tucking her safely under the heavy comforter. He sat beside her until her breathing evened out and she drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.
Once he was certain she was resting peacefully, Domenico stood up. The tender father vanished. The veteran Don returned, his sharp, intimidating eyes fixed on the impending storm.
He walked out of the suite, looking at Silas. "Do not leave this door. If anyone other than myself or Marcus attempts to enter, shoot them."
May you like
"Yes, Boss," Silas confirmed, his hand resting on his holstered weapon.
Domenico walked back down the grand staircase, heading toward the heavily fortified war room in the lower levels of the estate. The bright cinematic daylight had faded into a deep, dangerous twilight. The Chicago syndicate was coming, and Domenico intended to bury them in his own backyard.
