Chapter 3 - The Golden Cage
Dominic didn't take Megan back to Chicago immediately. Knowing her trust in him was shattered and that her body was fragile from months of stress, he brought her to a highly secured, luxurious estate in the mountains of Vermont.
The estate was a fortress. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, but inside, it was a warm, peaceful sanctuary filled with soft blankets, burning fireplaces, and the finest organic foods. Dominic had brought in the best obstetrician in the country to examine her.
"The baby is small, but healthy," Doctor Evans reassured them after an ultrasound. "But Megan needs absolute rest. No stress, Mr. Russo. Her blood pressure is dangerously high."
Dominic nodded, his face grim. He sat by Megan's bedside, holding her hand. She tried to pull it away, but he held on gently, kissing her knuckles.
"You don't have to forgive me yet, Meg," he whispered, his eyes dark with exhaustion. "But let me take care of you. Let me protect our child."
"How can I trust you, Dominic?" she asked softly, looking out the window at the falling snow. "Your life is filled with blood and lies. Today it's the Morettis. Tomorrow, it will be another enemy. I don't want our child growing up looking over their shoulder, wondering if their father is going to come home in a body bag."
"I am dismantling it," Dominic said, his voice ringing with absolute certainty. "I am turning the Russo empire legitimate. I’ve already started selling off the shipping ports used for smuggling. I am building a clean future. For you. For him."
"Him?" Megan’s eyes widened.
A soft, rare smile touched Dominic’s lips. "The doctor told me. We’re having a boy, Meg. A son."
Tears welled in Megan’s eyes again. A son. A little boy who would look just like his father, hopefully with a gentler soul.
But their temporary peace was shattered the very next night.
A loud explosion rocked the eastern wing of the estate. The power instantly cut out, plunging the bedroom into darkness. The red emergency lights flared to life, casting an eerie glow over the room.
Megan gasped, sitting up in panic. "Dominic!"
Dominic was already on his feet, pulling a silenced handgun from his holster with practiced speed. He rushed to the bed, shielding her with his body.
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"Viktor! Report!" Dominic barked into his earpiece.
"Boss! It's a coordinated raid! The Morettis found us!" Viktor's voice was frantic over the static. "They brought heavy artillery. They know the girl is here!"
