Chapter 5 - The Fortress on Long Island
The sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean painted the sky in brilliant shades of gold, pink, and deep orange.
A fleet of four black SUVs rolled smoothly through the massive wrought-iron gates of the Moretti estate on the north shore of Long Island. The gates swung shut behind them with a heavy, definitive thud, locking out the rest of the world.
The estate rose out of the manicured lawns like an ancient limestone castle—grand, towering, and surrounded by high security walls, camera arrays, and discreetly placed guards.
The lead SUV pulled up to the grand front entrance.
Dominic stepped out first, extending his hand to help Sophia down from the leather seat.
Sophia stepped onto the cool gravel drive, looking up at the colossal mansion in awe. Six years ago, she had known Dominic owned an estate, but standing before it in person was overwhelming.
Beside her, Lily bounced out of the car, holding her flattened stuffed rabbit, her blue eyes wide with wonder as she stared at the giant marble pillars and the crystal chandelier visible through the front glass doors.
"Is this a castle?" Lily asked, her mouth open in a tiny 'O'. "Are you a king?"
Dominic knelt beside her, a gentle smile softening his sharp features. "No, Lily. It's just a big house. And it belongs to you now."
"To me?" Lily blinked. "Can I have a swing set?"
"You can have ten swing sets," Dominic promised without hesitation. "And a pool. And a horse if you want one."
Sophia placed a gentle hand on Dominic’s shoulder, a warning tone in her voice. "Dominic... don't spoil her."
Dominic stood up, looking at Sophia. "I missed five years of her life, Sophia. I have a lot of spoiling to make up for."
They walked inside the grand foyer—the very same foyer where, less than twenty-four hours ago, Lily had stood in her yellow rain boots asking why he had fired her mother.
The head of the household staff, an elderly woman named Mrs. Higgins who had served the Moretti family for thirty years, stood waiting in the foyer alongside three housemaids.
Mrs. Higgins looked at Sophia, then down at Lily, and her weathered face instantly softened into a warm, emotional smile. She recognized the child's face immediately—the unmistakable Moretti eyes and the small crease between her eyebrows.
"Welcome home, ma'am," Mrs. Higgins said, bowing her head respectfully to Sophia. "We have prepared the master suite on the second floor for you and the little mistress."
Sophia blushed slightly. "Thank you... but a guest room is fine—"
"The master suite is yours, Sophia," Dominic interrupted smoothly, taking her small overnight bag from Marco's hands. "It has the best view of the ocean, and the security doors are reinforced steel."
He looked down at Lily, who was busy examining a large marble statue near the staircase.
"Mrs. Higgins," Dominic said. "Please have the kitchen prepare breakfast. Whatever Lily wants. Waffles, pancakes, chocolate chips."
"Yay! Waffles!" Lily cheered, doing a small happy dance on the marble floor.
While Mrs. Higgins led Lily toward the grand dining room, Dominic led Sophia up the wide spiral staircase to his private study on the second floor.
The study was dark, lined with mahogany bookshelves, a massive leather desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.
Dominic walked over to his desk, opened a wall safe hidden behind a painting, and pulled out a thick leather binder and a small velvet box.
He walked back over to where Sophia was standing near the fireplace.
He set the leather binder on the coffee table.
"What is this?" Sophia asked, looking at the documents inside.
"This is my will," Dominic said calmly. "And the legal trust documents for Moretti Holdings. As of eight o'clock this morning, fifty percent of all my non-syndicate assets—the real estate, the legal shipping lines, the investment funds—have been legally transferred into Lily’s name, with you as the sole trustee."
Sophia gasped, stepping back. "Dominic, no... I don't want your money!"
"It's not for you to spend on yourself, Sophia," Dominic explained gently. "It's to ensure that no matter what happens to me... no matter what happens in this war with Vescari... you and Lily will never be at the mercy of a landlord again. You will never have to worry about rent, or jobs, or medical bills. You will be completely, permanently independent."
Sophia looked at the papers, tears welling up in her eyes. "Dominic..."
"And this," Dominic said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small velvet box.
He opened the lid.
Inside sat a breathtaking vintage diamond ring—an oval-cut stone set in platinum, glittering brilliant under the morning light.
Sophia’s heart stopped. She looked up into his gray eyes, her voice trembling. "Dominic... what are you doing?"
"This was my mother's ring," Dominic said softly, his voice full of a quiet, desperate emotion. "My father gave it to her the day he took over the family. I kept it in my desk for six years, Sophia. Every time I looked at it, I thought of you."
He took a step closer, holding the box out to her.
"I know I don't deserve you," Dominic whispered. "I know I hurt you in ways that take years to heal. I know I brought violence and fear into your quiet life. But I love you, Sophia. I have loved you since the first day you walked into my office six years ago and told me my tax spreadsheets were a disaster."
Sophia let out a tearful, wet laugh.
"I am going to finish this war with Vescari," Dominic promised, his eyes burning with absolute conviction. "I am going to wipe them out so completely that no one will ever threaten my family again. But when the blood is washed away... I want to spend the rest of my life earning your forgiveness. Will you marry me, Sophia?"
Sophia looked down at the glittering ring, then up at the man standing before her—the ruthless mafia boss who had cried in a bedroom holding his daughter, who had eaten ninety-nine-cent macaroni on a plastic stool, and who had risked his life to stand between her and five armed hitmen.
She reached out her hand, her fingers trembling as she touched his cheek.
"You're an idiot, Dominic Moretti," she sobbed softly, a beautiful smile breaking through her tears. "A complete, stubborn idiot."
"Is that a yes?" Dominic asked, a rare, hopeful smile appearing on his face.
May you like
"Yes," Sophia whispered, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, you stubborn man. Yes."
Dominic pulled her tight against his chest, lifting her slightly off her feet, kissing her with a fierce, burning passion that six years of separation had only made stronger.
