Chapter 10
The grand entrance of the restaurant was secured by a heavy police presence, bought and paid for by Dominic's expansive payroll, ensuring no unwanted eyes witnessed the billionaire's departure. The rain had begun to fall in downtown Chicago, casting a sleek, cinematic sheen over the wet asphalt.
Dominic walked out through the heavy glass double doors, his presence commanding the immediate attention of his exterior security detail. His charcoal-gray dress shirt was still unbuttoned at the collar, the tattoos on his neck visible under the warm, amber glow of the streetlights. Walking closely behind him, heavily shielded by two massive bodyguards, was Lily. She held Noah tightly against her chest, her oversized burgundy knit cardigan wrapped entirely around the baby to protect him from the damp chill of the night.
A massive, armored black SUV was idling perfectly at the curb, its doors already thrown open by the waiting drivers.
Rosa appeared from the restaurant's side entrance, carrying three heavy thermal bags packed full of elite, nutritious food. She quickly handed them off to one of the guards, who secured them in the trunk. Rosa turned to Lily, offering a warm, reassuring smile.
"You take care of that sweet boy, Lily," Rosa said gently, brushing a stray lock of honey-brown hair behind the little girl's ear.
"Thank you, Rosa," Lily replied earnestly, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
Dominic stood by the open door of the SUV, holding his large hand out. Lily didn't hesitate this time. She stepped up into the high cabin of the armored vehicle, settling into the luxurious leather backseat. She secured Noah in her lap, the baby sleeping peacefully, completely unaware that his life had just been permanently altered.
Dominic climbed in after her, taking the seat beside them. He reached out and pulled the heavy, bulletproof door shut. The loud, decisive THUD sealed them inside the quiet, climate-controlled cabin.
"Take us to the primary estate," Dominic ordered the driver, his voice a low rumble. "And tell the perimeter guards to lock the gates behind us. We are moving to a Level Four security protocol."
"Yes, Boss," the driver confirmed, shifting the heavy vehicle into gear.
The SUV pulled smoothly away from the curb, merging into the rainy Chicago traffic. Inside the dimly lit cabin, Lily looked out the tinted window, watching the dangerous city streets she had called home fade into the distance. She looked down at the dark bruising on her wrist, then glanced over at Dominic. The fearsome mafia boss was looking out his own window, his sharp, strikingly handsome profile illuminated briefly by passing streetlights. His jaw was clenched, his mind clearly operating at a terrifying, tactical speed.
He was preparing for a war.
Lily pulled the blue-and-gray blanket tighter around Noah. She didn't fully understand the complex, violent world of the Chicago mafia, nor did she know the terrifying lengths Dominic Moretti would have to go to in order to cleanse the betrayal from his empire. But as she watched the heavy rain beat against the impenetrable glass, she knew one thing for absolute certain.
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For the first time in her life, she was completely safe.
The black SUV sped into the stormy night, carrying the billionaire and the starving children toward a fortified sanctuary, leaving the corrupted heart of the syndicate waiting in the shadows for the brutal reckoning that Dominic was about to bring to their doorsteps.
