Chapter 5 - The Bloodline Ledger
Dominic stepped out of the subterranean bunker, locking the heavy steel blast door from the outside with an eight-digit master code.
He moved up the stone staircase like a shadow, his heavy leather shoes making no sound against the steps. Frank followed closely behind, a suppressed submachine gun held at the ready.
They emerged into the smoke-filled grand foyer of the mansion. Three tactical breachers dressed in dark body armor were advancing toward the study, their assault rifles raised.
Dominic didn't hesitate. He stepped out from behind a marble pillar, firing three controlled rounds in rapid succession.
The two lead breachers collapsed to the marble floor before they could even adjust their aim. The third breacher lunged behind a velvet couch, firing a spray of automatic rounds that shattered a gilded mirror on the wall.
Frank flanked the couch from the left, firing two precise shots that neutralized the remaining attacker.
Silence descended over the foyer once again, heavy with the smell of gunpowder and cordite.
Dominic walked over to the fallen lead breacher, kneeling down to strip the man's tactical helmet. He reached into the intruder's vest pocket, pulling out an encrypted satellite phone that was still actively routing a call.
Dominic placed the phone to his ear.
A smooth, arrogant voice spoke through the speaker: "Team One, report. Have you eliminated the maid and secured the child's intake file?"
It was Arthur Vance.
"Your team is dead, Arthur," Dominic said, his deep, gravelly voice cutting through the speaker like a blade.
The line fell dead silent for two seconds.
"Dominic..." Arthur stammered, his confident tone wavering into panic. "You don't understand the legal ramifications of what you're doing. If the syndicate board finds out Maisie isn't Isabella's bloodline heir, your position as Don is void!"
"My position as Don was built on blood and iron, Arthur, not your paperwork," Dominic stated coldly. "And where my daughter came from changes nothing. She is a Bellaro."
"She is a maid's bastard!" Arthur spat over the phone. "Under the 1950 syndicate charter, an illegitimate child cannot inherit the eastern shipping terminals! The board will strip you of your crown by midnight!"
"Then tell the board to meet me at the cathedral at midnight," Dominic said softly. "And bring your lawyers."
Dominic crushed the satellite phone in his broad palm, tossing the broken pieces onto the marble floor.
He turned to Frank. "Call Dr. Harrison. Have him bring a private DNA extraction kit to the bunker immediately. I want an official 99.9% biological verification match before we go to the cathedral."
Frank nodded, pulling his radio. "Right away, Boss. But what about Vivienne?"
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Dominic looked toward the east wing holding room where Vivienne was locked away. A cold, dangerous smirk touched his rugged face.
"Vivienne is coming with us," Dominic said. "She's going to testify."
