Chapter 7 - the daughter's portrait
Dominic stepped slowly into the warm room, bringing his broad frame down onto one knee so he was at eye level with the small girl. Bruno padded softly over to her side, resting his large snout gently on her knee.
The little girl didn't shrink away. She smiled warmly, reaching out her small hand to pat Bruno's soft black fur.
"His name is Bruno," Dominic said softly, his deep voice carrying an overwhelming tenderness he rarely showed the world. "And what is your name, little one?"
"They call me Lily here," the girl answered, looking up into Dominic’s dark eyes. "Who are you?"
Dominic reached into his inner suit pocket, pulling out a small silver frame containing a photograph of Sophia holding baby Charlie eight years ago. Beside Sophia, tucked into the corner of the frame, was a tiny baby bracelet bearing the name Lily Bellucci.
Lily took the frame into her hands, her rosy cheeks flushing as her eyes widened in wonder. "This lady... she looks like the picture under my pillow."
"She was your mother, Lily," Dominic whispered, his voice thick with uncharacteristic emotion. "And I am your father."
Tears welling in her bright eyes, Lily looked from the photograph up to Dominic’s battle-hardened face. Without a second thought, she threw her small arms around his neck, hugging him tight. Dominic wrapped his broad arms around his daughter, holding her close against his chest as if he would never let her go again.
Outside in the hallway, Frank’s radio clicked sharply.
"Boss," Frank’s voice called out quietly from the doorway. "We have a problem. Two vehicles just pulled into the front driveway. It's Vanessa Crowe... and six armed men."
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Dominic stood up smoothly, lifting Lily effortlessly into one arm while picking up her small backpack with his other hand.
"Keep her behind me, Frank," Dominic ordered, his dark eyes darkening into lethal, terrifying anger. "It's time to settle this with the Crowe family once and for all."
