Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Syndicate
Within two weeks, Beatrice had completely upended the daily routine of the Romano household.
The quiet, museum-like silence of the mansion was replaced by the sounds of children’s music, the clattering of baking pans, and the occasional burst of laughter. Under Beatrice’s care, Leo was slowly coming out of his shell. He still hadn't spoken, but he communicated through a complex system of gestures, drawings, and the colorful crayons he carried everywhere in a little canvas pouch Beatrice had made for him.
Dominic, however, remained an enigma.
He was often gone before dawn and returned long after midnight. When he was home, he was surrounded by men in dark suits—men with hard faces, bulging jackets, and eyes that constantly scanned the room.
One rainy Thursday evening, Beatrice was sitting on the floor of the living room, helping Leo build a massive fort out of sofa cushions and blankets.
Suddenly, the heavy front doors flew open, and Dominic stormed into the house, followed by his underboss, a man named Marco who looked like he had been carved out of granite. Dominic’s jacket was gone, his white shirt rolled up to his elbows, stained with what looked suspiciously like grease—or blood.
"Double the guards at the warehouse," Dominic was barking, his voice tight and furious. "The Lucchese family is getting desperate. They think because Victoria is gone, I’ve lost my grip on the docks. Show them they are sorely mistaken."
"Boss, we have a problem," Marco said, his voice tense. "They didn't just target the shipment. They were asking about the kid. They know he’s your weak spot."
Dominic froze. The air in the room instantly turned sub-zero. "If they so much as look in the direction of this house, I want their heads on a pike, Marco. Do you hear me? Nobody touches my son."
Beatrice held her breath, her hand resting on Leo's shoulder. She could feel the little boy trembling beside her. He might not speak, but he understood far too much of the violence that surrounded his father's life.
Dominic’s eyes swept the room and locked onto the blanket fort. He stopped, his expression softening by a fraction as he saw Beatrice holding Leo close.
"Marco, leave us," Dominic commanded.
The underboss nodded, giving Beatrice a brief, curious glance before retreating out the front door.
Dominic walked over to the blanket fort. He looked incredibly tired, the dark circles under his eyes deep and pronounced. He ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing heavily as he knelt down on the carpet.
"You shouldn't have to hear that," Dominic said, his voice remarkably gentle compared to the roaring beast he had been seconds ago.
"Leo understands more than you think, Mr. Romano," Beatrice said softly, her eyes filled with concern. "He knows when you are in danger. He knows when the house is afraid."
Dominic looked at his son, who had crawled out of the fort and was now standing in front of him. Leo reached out and patted his father’s knee, his little face serious.
"I am safe, Leo," Dominic said, his voice thick with an emotion he rarely showed. He reached out and gently cup his son’s cheek. "Your father is always safe. I promise you."
Leo nodded, then turned and ran back into the blanket fort, grabbing his drawing pad.
Dominic sat back on his heels, looking up at Beatrice. Up close, she could see the faint scent of rain and gunpowder clinging to him. But beneath the dangerous exterior, there was a profound, raw vulnerability that drew her in.
"You’ve changed him, Beatrice," Dominic said quietly. "He’s... he’s alive again. I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to thank me, Mr. Romano," she said, her heart beating a rapid rhythm against her ribs. "I love him. He’s a wonderful boy."
Dominic’s gaze drifted down to her lips, then back to her eyes. The silence between them grew heavy, charged with a sudden, electric current. Beatrice felt her face heating up, her body tingling under his intense focus. He was a mafia boss, a dangerous man who ruled the city with an iron fist, but in this moment, he was just a father who wanted to protect his family.
"Dominic," he said softly.
Beatrice blinked. "What?"
"Call me Dominic," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "We are past 'Mr. Romano' now, don't you think?"
May you like
Before she could answer, the phone on his belt began to buzz violently. The moment broke. Dominic closed his eyes, a look of profound frustration crossing his face, before pulling out the phone and stepping away to answer it.
Beatrice watched him go, her heart pounding. She was falling for him. She knew it was dangerous, stupid, and completely unprofessional—but as she looked at the powerful man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, she knew she couldn't help herself.
