Chapter 9
The corridor leading to Luca’s room was silent, heavily guarded by two of Dominic’s most trusted men. They nodded respectfully as the boss approached, opening the heavy oak door for him.
Inside, the room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a bedside lamp. Luca was sitting on the edge of his bed, having shed his navy suit jacket and burgundy bow tie, looking small and fragile in his crisp white shirt. Ada Bennett was sitting on the floor beside him, her black maid dress pooling around her as she spoke to the boy in gentle, soothing tones.
When Dominic entered, Ada immediately stood up, smoothing her white apron. Her expressive eyes searched his angular face, reading the exhaustion and the lingering violence in his posture.
"He is doing well, sir," Ada whispered, stepping back to give the father and son space. "He was just a little shaken by the shouting."
Dominic walked over to the bed, dropping to one knee so he was at eye level with his son. He reached out, his tattooed hand gently resting on the boy’s shoulder.
"Are you alright, Luca?" Dominic asked, his deep voice softening entirely.
Luca nodded slowly, his young eyes wide and serious. "I didn't mean to make everyone yell, Daddy. I just wanted Grandma to have her real medicine."
"You did exactly the right thing, my son," Dominic assured him, pulling the boy into a fierce, protective embrace. "You saved her life today. You were incredibly brave."
Luca buried his face in his father's shoulder, the tension finally leaving his small body. "Is Estelle gone?"
"She is gone," Dominic promised, his voice a low, vibrating rumble against the boy's hair. "She will never come back to this house. You will never have to see her again."
Dominic held his son for a long moment, drawing strength from the child's innocent resilience. When he finally pulled back, he tucked the boy into bed, pulling the heavy quilt up to his chin.
"Try to sleep, Luca," Dominic said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I will be right outside."
He stood up and turned to Ada, gesturing toward the door. They stepped out into the quiet corridor together, the heavy oak door clicking shut behind them.
Dominic leaned back against the gilded wall panel, letting out a long, ragged breath. He looked down at the beautiful maid standing before him. She was not just a servant; she was the only person in the mansion who had possessed the courage to stand up to the corruption infecting his home.
"I owe you a profound debt of gratitude, Ada," Dominic said, his dark eyes burning with an intense, quiet affection.
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"You owe me nothing, Dominic," Ada replied softly, dropping his formal title in the heavy intimacy of the moment. "I just wanted to protect your family."
"You risked your life," Dominic pointed out, reaching out to gently touch her arm. "If Luca hadn't spoken up, she would have turned the entire syndicate against you."
