Chapter 4
The oppressive silence in the yard was heavy enough to crush bone. Conrad remained slumped in the lawn chair, rubbing his collarbone where Domenico had grabbed him, his chest heaving with panicked breaths. The two bodyguards standing behind him crossed their hands over their suits, looking to their boss for the next command.
"Domenico, please," Miriam stammered, the arrogant superiority completely stripped from her voice. "We are family. It was a misunderstanding. Conrad simply lost his temper for a moment."
"Family does not raise weapons against a three-year-old," Domenico replied softly, his raspy voice unwavering. He turned slightly, shielding Eli’s face from the sight of the adults. He looked toward the covered patio and gave a sharp, subtle nod.
A young, fair-skinned woman wearing an elegant, subdued sundress hurried across the grass. It was Clara, Eli’s nanny. She kept her head down, deeply intimidated by the surrounding capos, but her maternal instinct drove her directly to the Mafia boss.
"Take him inside, Clara," Domenico instructed, his tone instantly shifting back to the gentle, protective father. "Take him to the east wing playroom. Lock the doors. Read him the book about the lions."
"Yes, Mr. Ravello," Clara whispered.
"Daddy is going to handle some business," Domenico told his son, kissing Eli’s forehead before gently passing the boy into the nanny’s arms. "I will come up to see you the moment I am finished. Be brave for me."
"I will, Daddy," Eli sniffled, wrapping his arms around Clara’s neck.
Domenico watched them walk safely back into the massive estate, waiting until the heavy glass doors slid shut and locked. Only then did the protective father vanish entirely, leaving nothing but the ruthless, calculating head of the Ravello syndicate.
He turned his cold, sharp eyes back to the cousin sweating in the lawn chair.
"Get him up," Domenico commanded.
The two bodyguards immediately reached down, hauling Conrad out of the chair by his arms. Conrad struggled weakly, his loafers scrambling for purchase on the grass.
"Get your hands off me!" Conrad yelled, though his voice cracked with fear. "Domenico, you can't do this in front of everyone! I am a made man! I have rights in this family!"
"You surrendered your rights the moment that steel hit the grass," Domenico said, walking slowly toward the side entrance of the house that led down to the subterranean levels. "Bring them both to the study. We are going to have a private conversation."
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"I am not going anywhere with you!" Miriam shrieked, trying to step away, but a third bodyguard materialized beside her, placing a firm, unyielding hand on her shoulder.
"You will walk, Miriam," Domenico said, pausing at the heavy oak door. He did not look back. "Or they will drag you. The choice is yours."
