Chapter 10
The bright, cinematic light of the conservatory suddenly felt harsh and unforgiving. The revelation hung heavily in the air. Vivienne hadn't just sought revenge; she had brokered a catastrophic alliance. By revealing the syndicate's shipping routes to the federal authorities, she had given the government a legitimate, terrifying reason to sanction a full-scale raid against Dominic's empire.
Nora watched Dominic’s expression harden into an impenetrable mask of cold, lethal stone. She didn't know the specifics of the phone call, but she recognized the terrifying shift in his demeanor. The devoted son had vanished, entirely consumed by the apex predator preparing for war.
"Dominic?" Nora asked hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly. "Is everything alright?"
Dominic didn't answer immediately. He looked down at his mother, who was happily oblivious to the impending violence, sipping her tea. Then, his cold, perceptive eyes locked onto Nora.
"Take my mother to the secure bunker beneath the east wing," Dominic commanded softly, his deep voice carrying absolute, undeniable authority. "Lock the heavy steel doors from the inside. Do not open them for anyone but me or Marcus. Do you understand?"
Nora’s breath hitched in her throat. The reality of his violent world was crashing down upon the fragile peace they had built. "Are we in danger?"
"You are perfectly safe as long as you stay behind that door," Dominic assured her smoothly, stepping closer. He reached out, his tattooed fingers gently grazing her cheekbone. The touch was incredibly tender, a shocking contrast to the violent orders he had just issued. "I have to deal with an infestation in the city. It will be messy, but it will be handled."
"Please... be careful," Nora whispered, leaning slightly into his touch, her heart pounding frantically against her ribs.
"I always am," Dominic murmured, a dark, merciless smile curling the corner of his lips.
He withdrew his hand and turned on his heel, his polished leather shoes clicking sharply against the tile as he walked rapidly out of the conservatory. He was heading into the shadows to protect his empire, leaving Nora waiting in the light, knowing the war for their survival had only just begun.
Outside, the heavy, armored SUVs were already idling in the driveway, their engines growling like caged beasts. Dozens of heavily armed capos in dark suits swarmed the perimeter, loading weapons and checking tactical gear. The estate had transformed from a luxurious mansion into a fortified military command center in less than five minutes.
Dominic walked out the grand front doors, his tailored overcoat billowing slightly in the cold wind. Marcus was waiting by the lead vehicle, holding a sleek, customized assault rifle.
"The feds are setting up a perimeter around the north port, Boss," Marcus reported grimly, handing Dominic a secure earpiece. "They think they have us cornered. They expect us to burn the evidence and run."
"They rely on standard protocol because they lack imagination," Dominic stated coldly, slipping the earpiece in. He didn't reach for a rifle; he preferred the heavy, suppressed handguns resting in his shoulder holsters.
He looked around at his assembled men, the loyal soldiers who had bled for his family for decades.
"We do not run from federal agents in our own city," Dominic commanded, his deep voice echoing across the courtyard, carrying effortlessly over the roaring engines. "Vivienne Shaw thought she could sell our secrets to buy her freedom. She thought the government could protect her from me."
He opened the door to the lead SUV, his eyes burning with a dark, unyielding fire.
"We are going to hit the ports," Dominic announced to his men. "We are going to slaughter every federal agent who steps foot in our warehouses. And then, we are going to find Vivienne, and we are going to show the entire East Coast what happens to traitors."
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The capos roared their approval, piling into the heavily armored vehicles.
Dominic slid into the back seat, slamming the heavy door shut. The vehicle immediately surged forward, leading the convoy out of the massive iron gates and onto the highway. The storm was breaking over the city, but Dominic Ashford was the lightning. The true war for the underworld had officially begun.
