Chapter 4 - the shadow in the foyer
Down in the grand foyer of the mansion, Underboss Dante stood near the marble fountain. Clad in an expensive dark pinstriped suit, the forty-five-year-old mobster carried himself with an arrogant, aggressive posture. Two of his personal guards stood behind him.
Dominic descended the grand staircase with slow, deliberate steps, his polished shoes clicking sharply against the marble. His cream trousers and open-collar shirt gave him a relaxed appearance, but his intense eyes radiated pure, terrifying power.
"Dante," Dominic spoke, his deep voice echoing off the high ceilings. "You're standing in my home at nine o'clock at night."
Dante adjusted his dark tie, forcing a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Dominic. I came to deliver the quarterly shipping reports. But my men noticed that the house maid—the Reed girl—was moved into the master wing tonight. The captains are concerned about security breaches."
Dominic reached the bottom step, stopping three feet from Dante. His towering broad frame completely dominated the space.
"My private household is not the concern of the executive council, Dante," Dominic said, his tone dangerously calm.
"She's a housemaid, Dominic," Dante argued, taking a step forward. "She was hired ten months ago without a full background check by Julian. Some of the captains think she might be a spy sent by rival families."
Dominic's jaw tightened. The timing was too precise. Dante was the exact man who had taken over Julian's shipping routes after the fatal car crash ten months ago.
Dominic stepped closer, leaning down until his dark eyes were inches from Dante's face.
"Hannah Reed and her daughter are under my personal, absolute protection, Dante," Dominic growled, his voice dropping into a hollow register. "If anyone in this city so much as looks at them without my permission, I will personally throw them into the river. Is that clear?"
Dante went pale, taking an involuntary step back under the sheer weight of Dominic's aura. "Clear, Don Caruso."
"Leave my house," Dominic commanded flatly.
May you like
Dante turned and walked out through the heavy front doors, his guards following closely behind.
Dominic watched the heavy iron doors swing shut, his razor-sharp mind connecting the final pieces of his brother's murder. Dante wasn't just curious about the maid—he was searching for Julian's missing child.
