Chapter 7 - The Fall of the West Side
The battle for Chicago’s West Side raged through the night.
From my room on the second floor, I could hear the faint echo of sirens wailing in the distant city, watching the storm clouds roll over the dark horizon.
Chloe sat with me in the living room, holding my hand as we waited for news.
"He won't lose, Sadie," Chloe reassured me softly. "Dominic has never lost a war. Especially not when he has something real to come home to."
At 4:00 AM, the heavy wrought-iron gates at the front of the estate slid open.
Three armored vehicles pulled up to the main entrance.
I ran down the grand staircase, my heart pounding in my chest, completely ignoring Mrs. Gable’s quiet warning to slow down.
The heavy front doors opened.
Dominic stepped into the foyer. His coat was damp with rain, his dark hair messy, a small cut bleeding near his cheekbone, but his posture was triumphant, absolute, and unyielding.
Marco and his men trailed behind him, their faces weary but victorious.
"It's over," Marco announced to the house staff. "The Vance family has surrendered all territories. Marco Vance is fleeing to Europe, and Trent has been arrested by federal authorities for extortion."
A collective sigh of profound relief swept through the mansion.
Dominic didn't look at his men. He didn't celebrate his victory.
His dark eyes swept past the grand chandelier and landed directly on me standing at the foot of the stairs.
He walked straight toward me, taking my face in his large, warm hands, ignoring the light smear of blood on his cheek.
"I came back," Dominic whispered, his voice rough with fatigue and deep emotion.
Tears filled my eyes. I reached up, wiping the drop of blood from his cheekbone with my thumb, leaning into his warmth.
"You're bleeding," I murmured softly.
"It's nothing," Dominic said, pulling me tightly against his chest, holding me as if I were the only precious thing left in the dark world he ruled. "The West Side is ours. You are safe, Sadie. Completely, permanently safe."
May you like
I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder, feeling the deep, steady beat of his heart.
"Thank you, Dominic," I whispered.
