Chapter 13 - The Syndicate's Return
Damian kicked the nursery door open, his weapon raised and ready to eliminate any threat. But the room was empty. Leah and Leo were still fast asleep in our master suite where we had moved them hours ago.
The window was cracked open, the cold Chicago wind blowing the sheer curtains violently into the room. On the windowsill, held down by a heavy stone, was a single black orchid. Damian snatched the flower, crushing the delicate petals in his massive fist.
"The Moretti family," he growled, pure venom dripping from every syllable.
The Moretti Syndicate was an old, brutal mafia family from New York. They had always resented Damian for monopolizing the Midwest territories, but they had never dared to challenge him when he was active. Now that he had gone legitimate, they clearly viewed his peace as a glaring weakness.
The next morning, the reality of our situation became a public spectacle. We were scheduled to host a massive charity gala at a downtown hotel to raise money for pediatric heart research—a cause deeply personal to both of us.
Damian wanted to cancel, but I refused. Hiding would only prove to the Morettis that we were terrified.
The ballroom was glittering with crystal chandeliers, expensive champagne, and Chicago's elite. I wore a backless, emerald green gown, standing tall beside Damian as we greeted politicians and philanthropists.
We looked like the perfect, untouchable power couple, but beneath his tailored tuxedo jacket, Damian was heavily armed.
Halfway through the evening, the heavy golden doors of the ballroom swung open, completely bypassing the guest list check. Victor Moretti walked in. He was an older man with slicked-back silver hair, flanked by four massive men whose tailored suits couldn't hide their violent nature.
The music didn't stop, but the temperature in the room plummeted. Victor smiled, a cold, reptilian expression as he walked directly toward us.
"Damian Caruso," Victor greeted loudly, spreading his arms. "It has been far too long. I hear you're playing the saint these days."
Damian stepped slightly in front of me, his massive frame shielding my body. "You are trespassing, Victor. I suggest you turn around before I have security throw you out."
May you like
Victor chuckled, his cold, dead eyes shifting to look directly at me. "Beautiful wife. I imagine she is very attached to those two lovely children of yours. It would be a profound tragedy if the sins of your brother were to suddenly collect a debt."
It wasn't a thinly veiled threat; it was a declaration of war, delivered right in front of a hundred witnesses.
