Chapter 4 - The Moretti Ultimatum
Three weeks passed, and the Castellano estate underwent a massive transformation. Under Sofia’s brilliant leadership, the staff quarters were fully renovated, the heating systems were modernized, and a renewed sense of joy and loyalty vibrated through the forty-two-room mansion. Mia could often be heard laughing as she chased Dominic’s massive security dogs through the gardens, and Dominic found himself returning home early from the city almost every night, just to have dinner with Sofia and the little girl.
But the peace was a fragile illusion. The storm Dominic had unleashed by removing Gerald Whitfield was about to break.
It was a rainy Thursday evening when Marco slipped into Dominic’s private study, his expression grim. Dominic was sitting at his desk, reviewing a new charity foundation proposal Sofia had drafted.
"Boss, we have a problem," Marco said, closing the heavy soundproof doors. "The Moretti family just realized Whitfield’s accounts have been frozen by the feds. They know we found the leak. And they’re desperate."
Dominic didn't look up from the paperwork. "How desperate?"
"Anthony Moretti sent a messenger to our lower gates ten minutes ago," Marco said, placing a burner phone on the desk. "He wants a sit-down. Tonight. If you refuse, he claims he will release a file to the press linking your legitimate shipping logistics company to old family business from your father's era. It could ruin the corporate merger you’ve been working on for six months."
Dominic slowly closed the folder, his eyes narrowing. Anthony Moretti was a reckless, volatile underboss who had taken over after his father’s passing. He didn't play by the old rules of respect; he used extortion and chaos.
Suddenly, the burner phone on the desk began to buzz.
Dominic picked it up, his voice dropping to a smooth, icy calm. "Castellano."
"Dominic, my old friend," Anthony Moretti’s arrogant, grating voice echoed through the speaker. "I believe you have something that belongs to me. Gerald Whitfield owed my family five million dollars. You froze his accounts, which means you took my money."
"Your money was stolen from my staff, Anthony," Dominic replied, his tone deadpan. "Consider the freeze a lesson in financial management. Do not touch my house again."
"Oh, but I already have, Dominic," Anthony laughed, a sinister, chilling sound. "You think you’re so smart, locking down your estate. But you’ve grown soft lately. My guys have been watching you. You’ve got a pretty new manager running around the grounds, don't you? And a cute little kid with braids?"
Dominic’s blood turned to liquid nitrogen. The temperature in the room seemed to drop below freezing.
"If you even look in their direction, Anthony," Dominic whispered, a sound so terrifying it made Marco subconsciously reach for his weapon, "I will not just kill you. I will erase the Moretti name from the history of this city."
"Then meet me at the old iron foundry on Pier 42 in one hour," Anthony barked, his demeanor turning hostile. "Come alone. No security detail. If I see a single one of your guards, the file goes to the press, and my men will pay a visit to that beautiful little carriage house of yours while you're gone. Choose carefully, Castellano."
The line went dead.
Dominic stood up, buttoning his dark wool overcoat. His face was a mask of absolute, unyielding stone.
"Boss, you can't go alone," Marco urged, stepping in front of the door. "It’s a trap. Anthony doesn't want a sit-down. He wants to eliminate you and take the territory."
"I know," Dominic said quietly. "Which is why you are not going to follow me to Pier 42."
"But Boss—"
"You are going to stay here, Marco," Dominic commanded, placing a heavy hand on his security chief's shoulder. "Double the perimeter guards. Put Sofia and Mia in the panic room beneath the master suite. If a single blade of grass is stepped on by an outsider tonight, you kill them. Do you understand me? Protect them with your life."
Marco saw the absolute resolve in Dominic’s eyes and stepped aside, bowing his head. "Understood, Boss. Go take care of business."
Dominic walked out of the study and headed down the corridor toward the master wing. He found Sofia in the suite, reading a bedtime story to Mia, who was tucked under a pile of blankets. When Sofia saw his face, she instantly stood up, sensing the danger.
"Dominic? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Dominic walked over, leaning down to kiss Mia’s forehead. "Mia, sweetie, I need you to go with your mama into the special game room downstairs for a little while, okay? Marco is going to show you."
Mia blinked sleepily. "Is it a secret fort?"
"Yes," Dominic smiled gently. "The best secret fort in the house."
He turned to Sofia, taking both of her hands in his. "Sofia, listen to me. I have to go into the city to handle a piece of business. Marco is going to secure you both in the safe room. You will be completely safe. I promise you."
Sofia gripped his hands tightly, fear flashing in her beautiful eyes. "Dominic... please tell me you're coming back."
Dominic looked at her—really looked at her. In the short weeks she had been in his life, she had filled his empty world with light, warmth, and a reason to survive.
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"I have spent sixteen years looking for a reason to make this place a home, Sofia," Dominic whispered, leaning forward to press his forehead against hers. "Now that I’ve found it, I am not going to let anyone take it away. I will be back before dawn."
He gave her hands one last squeeze, turned, and walked out into the storm.
