Chapter 8 - The Broken Crest
By dawn, the rain had stopped, leaving a crisp, golden sky over the Chicago skyline.
The Caruso mansion was locked down tighter than a fortress. Forty extra enforcers patrolled the perimeter, while Marcus Hale personally supervised the removal of every single security camera installed during Dr. Cole’s tenure.
Inside the grand dining room, warm sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Luca, Nico, and Clara sat at the long mahogany table, eating a warm breakfast served by the estate staff. For the first time in nine days, the boys were laughing quietly, showing Clara how to use a silver spoon.
In the adjacent private study, Vincent stood behind his mahogany desk. He wore a fresh beige suit, his dark wavy hair neatly styled back, though a white bandage covered the cut along his jaw.
Across from him sat Elena. She wore a simple dark wool sweater, her long light-brown hair loose over her shoulders. Her face was pale, devoid of the cold elegance she had worn the previous morning.
"The Moretti syndicate leadership was picked up by federal agents two hours ago," Vincent said calmly, setting a glass of water on the desk before her. "Marcus provided the authorities with Dr. Cole’s encrypted drive. The Morettis won't be bothering Chicago ever again."
Elena stared down at her glass, her hands trembling slightly. "What are you going to do with me, Vincent? Are you going to hand me over to the family council?"
Vincent leaned against the front of his desk, crossing his broad arms. "The family council thinks you were kidnapped by Moretti mercenaries along with the boys. Your reputation remains spotless."
Elena looked up, her brown eyes filled with genuine confusion. "Why? I lied to you for fifteen years. I helped Michael hide. I almost got your nephews killed."
"You did what you thought you had to do to survive between two dangerous brothers," Vincent said softly, his blue-gray eyes holding hers with quiet authority. "And when Michael went too far, you brought the boys back to me because you knew I would protect them."
Elena closed her eyes, tears spilling over her lashes. "I'm so sorry, Vincent... I was just so tired of the lies."
"The lies end today," Vincent declared firmly. "You are moving to the estate in Miami with a full security detail. The boys will stay here in Chicago with me until the spring term finishes. You will see them every holiday."
Elena nodded slowly, accepting the terms without argument. "And Clara?"
May you like
Vincent looked toward the open double doors of the study. Through the hallway, he could see Clara sitting on the window bench, holding her cream stuffed rabbit, watching the morning birds in the garden.
"Clara stays here," Vincent said softly. "She is a Caruso. She will be raised as my own daughter."
