Chapter 6 - Shadows of the Family
Marcus Russo.
Dominic’s late father’s younger brother, the senior consigliere who had managed the Russo family’s financial networks for over thirty years. He was the elder statesman of the organization—the man who had placed the family ring on Dominic’s finger when Dominic took over leadership at twenty-eight.
Dominic stood motionless in the dimly lit hallway, his mind piecing together the horrifying truth.
When Isabella was killed, the Russo organization had gone to war, throwing hundreds of millions of dollars into destroying the Mendoza cartel. During that chaos, Marcus had quietly restructured three major shipping logistics companies, consolidating control over the family’s offshore accounts while Dominic was blinded by grief and vengeance.
Marcus hadn't just betrayed the family; he had orchestrated Isabella’s murder to destabilize Dominic, knowing that a grieving, unhinged Don would destroy their enemies while leaving the throne vulnerable to an internal takeover.
“Where is Marcus right now?” Dominic asked, his tone so quiet it sent shivers down Leo’s spine.
“He’s at the private estate in Manhattan, boss,” Leo replied nervously. “He scheduled an emergency meeting with the syndicate captains for tomorrow morning at nine. He claims it’s to discuss expanding our port holdings.”
“He’s consolidating his power,” Dominic noted coldly. “He thinks I’m still a broken man hiding in Long Island with my silent daughters.”
Dominic turned back toward the nursery door, looking through the glass window at Clara, who was sitting quietly near the sleeping girls. He walked back into the room, stopping beside Clara.
“Miss Vance,” Dominic said softly.
Clara stood up, looking into his eyes. “Yes, Mr. Russo?”
“I need to ask a favor of you,” Dominic said, his voice laced with a genuine respect he extended to very few people in this world. “Tomorrow morning, I have to settle an old debt. I need you to stay with my daughters. Keep them safe here until I return.”
Clara looked at him, seeing the lethal resolve in his eyes, but also seeing the protective love of a father fighting for his children's future.
“I will guard them with my life, Mr. Russo,” Clara promised solemnly. “Just make sure you come back to them.”
May you like
Dominic gave a brief, firm nod. “Leo, double the perimeter guards. No one enters or leaves this estate without Clara’s personal sign-off.”
He turned, pulled his heavy cashmere coat over his shoulders, and walked out into the storm, heading toward Manhattan to face the demon who had destroyed his home.
