Chapter 5 - THE REAL ENEMY
The answer wasn't Celeste.
Not entirely.
She had been hiding a secret because her father had ordered her to.
The Rossi family wanted control of Dominic's empire.
But there was another faction.
A group called The Black Harbor Circle.
They had spent years manipulating Chicago's criminal organizations from behind legitimate businesses.
Their objective was simple:
Control the Gallo ports.
Dominic's twins were a problem.
If Dominic died without an heir, the organization would fracture.
The Circle wanted that.
Layla's pregnancy made her a target.
The hospital had already been compromised.
The poison found in Layla's blood was not accidental.
Dominic stared at the toxicology report.
“Who?”
Matteo shook his head.
“We don't know.”
Then Layla remembered something.
The bakery.
A man had been standing outside every morning.
Gray coat.
Black gloves.
Always watching.
Dominic immediately ordered surveillance.
But before his men could move, the hospital lights went out.
Complete darkness.
A scream came from the hallway.
Dominic grabbed Layla.
“Stay behind me.”
Gunfire erupted.
His men returned fire.
Glass shattered.
Doctors ran.
Layla screamed as pain suddenly tore through her abdomen.
“Dominic!”
He turned.
She collapsed.
Blood appeared beneath her hospital gown.
His face changed.
“Call an ambulance!”
“We're already in a hospital!”
“THEN GET THE DOCTOR!”
Dominic carried her himself.
For the first time, his men saw their boss panic.
“Stay with me.”
Layla gripped his jacket.
“Don't let them take my babies.”
“I won't.”
“Promise me.”
Dominic looked directly into her eyes.
“I swear.”
The doctors rushed her into surgery.
Dominic remained outside.
His hands were covered in Layla's blood.
Matteo approached.
“We caught one.”
Dominic looked up.
“Who?”
Matteo hesitated.
“The shooter.”
“Name.”
“Your security chief.”
Dominic went still.
His own security chief.
May you like
The man responsible for protecting the hospital.
The betrayal had come from inside.
