Chapter 14 - THE MOTHER WHO REFUSED TO RUNDominic wanted Emilia removed from Chicago.
Clara refused.
Not because she underestimated Matteo.
Because she finally understood him.
“He wants us frightened.”
“He has photographs of our daughter.”
“I know.”
“He has watched her for years.”
“I know.”
“And you want her here?”
“I want her protected without teaching her that home is something dangerous men can take away.”
Dominic stared at his wife.
Years ago, he would have overruled her.
He knew that.
Clara knew it too.
So she waited.
Finally Dominic asked:
“What do you suggest?”
Clara’s anger softened.
That question was why she still loved him.
“We make ourselves harder to reach.”
Victor increased security.
The daycare was changed.
Schedules became unpredictable.
Federal investigators reopened several Vescari cases.
But Clara refused to disappear.
She continued working at Giovanni’s.
Dominic hated it.
He also respected it.
Three days passed.
Nothing happened.
Then Emilia vanished.
For forty-seven seconds.
Clara was in Giovanni’s office reviewing payroll.
Dominic was meeting Victor downstairs.
Sofia had Emilia in the private dining room.
Then the lights went out.
Emergency generators activated.
Forty-seven seconds later, Emilia was gone.
Clara heard Sofia scream.
She ran.
The stuffed rabbit lay on the floor.
Dominic reached the room seconds later.
He saw the rabbit.
His face became something Clara had not seen in years.
The old Dominic.
“Victor.”
“Already locking down the building.”
“Find her.”
His voice was terrifying.
Clara grabbed him.
“Dominic.”
“Not now.”
“Look at me.”
“Our daughter is gone.”
“I know!”
The words tore out of her.
Dominic stopped.
Clara’s entire body shook.
“But if you become that man again, Matteo wins twice.”
Dominic breathed.
Once.
Twice.
Then Victor shouted from the hallway.
“Found her!”
They ran.
Emilia sat inside the pantry.
Perfectly safe.
Confused.
Holding a chocolate cookie.
Clara dropped to her knees.
“Baby.”
Emilia reached for her.
“Mommy.”
Clara crushed her against her chest.
Dominic knelt beside them.
His hands trembled when he touched Emilia’s hair.
Victor searched the pantry.
Then found the message.
A card had been tucked inside Emilia’s rabbit.
I COULD HAVE TAKEN HER.
Dominic stood.
Clara saw murder in his eyes.
This time she did not tell him to calm down.
She handed Emilia to Sofia.
Then turned to her husband.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“The kitchen.”
He followed.
Clara closed the door.
Then she slapped both hands against the stainless-steel counter.
“I want to kill him.”
Dominic blinked.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
She turned.
“I want to find that old bastard and hit him with the biggest pan Paulie owns.”
Dominic almost smiled.
“I can arrange—”
“No.”
She pointed at him.
“That is exactly what we’re not doing.”
He leaned against the counter.
“Then what?”
Clara breathed.
“We beat him without becoming him.”
Dominic looked exhausted.
“How?”
“By figuring out what he actually wants.”
“He told us.”
“No. Emilia is symbolic.”
Dominic frowned.
Clara continued.
“He could have taken her tonight.”
“But didn’t.”
“Exactly.”
“Why?”
“Because he wants us to choose him.”
Dominic understood.
“Submission.”
“Yes.”
Matteo wanted the Russos and Jenkinses to acknowledge him as patriarch.
He wanted obedience.
Clara knew men like that.
She had served them steaks for years.
They wanted the room to bend.
So Clara decided to do the one thing Matteo would never expect.
Invite him to dinner.
Dominic stared.
“No.”
“You asked for my plan.”
“I regret it.”
“One dinner. Public place.”
“Absolutely not.”
“At Giovanni’s.”
“Where he just infiltrated security?”
“With federal agents nearby.”
Dominic paced.
Clara watched.
Finally he stopped.
“What are you going to say?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“That is not reassuring.”
Clara smiled without humor.
“Neither was marrying you.”
Dominic looked offended.
“I was an excellent husband eventually.”
“Eventually is carrying a lot of weight.”
Despite everything, he laughed.
That night Matteo received an invitation.
Tuesday.
Eight o’clock.
Corner booth.
The same table where Clara had first refused to kneel.
His response arrived five minutes later.
ONE CONDITION.
Clara opened the message.
BRING EMILIA.
Dominic read it.
“No.”
Clara agreed.
“No.”
They responded with one word.
NO.
Ten minutes passed.
Then Matteo replied.
GOOD.
Clara frowned.
May you like
Another message followed.
NOW I KNOW YOU’RE WORTH TALKING TO.
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