Chapter 6
Ten minutes later, the secluded garden clearing was left behind as Dominick led Elina and Sophia back through the hidden gap in the granite wall, past the lush boxwood hedges, and into the grand private study of the Marchetti mansion.
The master study was a majestic room featuring floor-to-ceiling dark mahogany bookshelves, a grand marble fireplace, cream-colored leather sofas, and soaring glass windows overlooking the courtyard. Golden sunlight poured into the room, illuminating the intricate Persian rug and the massive carved executive desk.
Dominick walked behind his desk, carefully placing the aged shoe box, the faded photographs, and his mother's letter onto the polished wood.
He pressed a hidden intercom button beneath the edge of his desk.
"Dominic," Dominick commanded flatly, calling his chief security director—a trusted, battle-hardened lieutenant who had served him for fifteen years.
Within thirty seconds, the heavy double mahogany doors opened, and Dominic stepped into the study, his posture rigid, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
"Boss?" Dominic acknowledged.
"Lock down the main gates," Dominick ordered, his deep baritone dripping with an absolute, terrifying calm. "Assign four of our most loyal private guards to the east residential wing. Elina and Sophia are moving into the master guest suite immediately. Their security clearance is Level One. No one enters their floor without my personal authorization."
Dominic Russo looked at the housemaid in her gray-blue dress and the three-year-old girl holding her plush bunny, nodding without hesitation. "Consider it done, Mr. Marchetti."
"And Dominic..." Dominick added, his piercing dark eyes locking onto his lieutenant with lethal intensity, "...call a private meeting of the supreme advisory council for six o'clock tonight. Tell Victor Vance I require his presence in the grand boardroom regarding the harbor territory deeds."
"Right away, Boss."
Once Dominic left the room to execute the commands, Dominick turned his attention back to Elina and Sophia.
Sophia was sitting comfortably on a soft cream velvet sofa, her shiny pink Mary Jane shoes dangling above the carpet, happily sharing a pastry brought by the house staff with her cream stuffed bunny. Her pale-blue floral dress spread around her like a blossom, her golden-blonde hair ribbon catching the warm sunlight.
Dominick walked over to the sofa, his broad-shouldered frame casting a tall shadow across the rug. He dropped down onto one knee in front of the three-year-old girl, bringing his imposing face level with hers.
He reached out his broad, calloused hand, gently patting her soft golden-blonde hair.
"Thank you, little angel," Dominick murmured, his raspy voice filled with a profound, quiet warmth that no one in the syndicate had ever heard before. "You gave me back my mother's truth."
Sophia smiled brightly, taking a tiny piece of her pastry and holding it out toward his face.
May you like
"Eat, mister," Sophia said cheerfully in her sweet, innocent voice. "It makes you happy!"
Dominick let out a rich, handsome laugh—a smooth, deep sound that resonated through the study—and accepted the tiny crumb from her fingers, while Elina watched them from the chair with a radiant smile of pure, unburdened relief.
