Chapter 5 - THE WAR INSIDE THE FAMILY
The city went dark for Dominic Gallo.
Not literally.
But every criminal organization understood something had changed.
He shut down clubs.
Ports.
Warehouses.
Financial operations.
Every resource became focused on finding Keo.
Linda barely slept.
She sat in Dominic's war room surrounded by maps.
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
"He's my brother."
"I know."
"Then don't tell me to stay behind."
Dominic looked at her.
"You could get hurt."
"I already am."
He had no answer.
They found the first clue at an abandoned warehouse.
A child's blue action figure.
Captain Galaxy.
Linda picked it up.
Her knees nearly gave out.
Dominic caught her.
"He's alive."
"How do you know?"
"Because they left this."
"They could have killed him."
"No."
Dominic's voice was certain.
"They want something."
"What?"
"Me."
They entered the warehouse.
Gunfire erupted.
Dominic pushed Linda behind a concrete pillar.
His men returned fire.
The fight lasted less than a minute.
When it ended, Matteo was standing alone.
His hands were raised.
"Dominic."
Dominic aimed his weapon.
"Where is Keo?"
Matteo swallowed.
"I didn't take him."
"You helped them."
"I was forced."
"Where is my brother?"
Matteo looked at Linda.
"He's alive."
Dominic lowered the gun slightly.
"Who has him?"
"Sofia."
Linda's face went white.
"Why?"
"Because she thinks Dominic chose you over her."
Dominic's jaw tightened.
"Where?"
Matteo gave them an address.
Then he whispered:
"She's not trying to kill Keo."
"What is she trying to do?"
"She's trying to destroy you."
Dominic turned.
"By hurting him?"
Matteo nodded.
"She wants you to choose."
"Choose what?"
"Your empire."
He looked at Linda.
"Or her."
Dominic stared at him.
"She's already lost."
They reached the warehouse.
Sofia stood beside Keo.
The boy was sitting in a chair.
Pale.
Weak.
But alive.
Linda nearly ran forward.
Dominic grabbed her.
Sofia held a gun.
"One step closer."
Linda stopped.
"Please."
Sofia laughed.
"Please?"
She looked at Dominic.
"You ruined everything for her."
Dominic's voice was cold.
"You did that yourself."
"You loved me once."
"No."
"I was supposed to be your wife."
"You were supposed to be a business alliance."
Sofia's face crumpled.
"She took you from me."
Linda shook her head.
"I never wanted anything from you."
Sofia looked at her.
"That's why I hate you."
Dominic stepped forward.
"I'll give you anything."
Sofia smiled.
"Anything?"
"Yes."
"Walk away from her."
Dominic didn't hesitate.
"No."
Sofia raised the gun.
Then Keo spoke.
"Lady?"
Everyone froze.
Sofia looked down.
"Can you stop fighting?"
The simplicity of his question shattered the tension.
He coughed.
Linda's face broke.
Sofia lowered the gun.
Dominic moved.
His men disarmed her.
Linda ran to Keo.
She pulled him into her arms.
Dominic stood behind them.
Sofia was arrested.
But the war wasn't over.
Because Dominic had just learned something worse.
The Moretti family had funded the kidnapping.
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And they wanted Dominic's territory.
The attack on his empire had officially become a war.
