Chapter 5 - THE STORM IN MANHATTAN
Three weeks had passed since the funeral in Ashville.
The rainy autumn chill had settled deep over Manhattan. The Moretti estate on Upper East Side was quiet, save for the soft patter of raindrops against the tall, arched windows.
Sophia stood in the grand kitchen, holding a tray of polished silver cups. Her face was thin, dark circles framing her eyes from weeks of grief and sleepless nights. Returning to New York had felt surreal. She was no longer just the maid—she was a woman caught in an impossible limbo.
Dominic had treated her with extreme gentleness since their return. He had relieved her of her heavy cleaning duties, insisted she take time off, and had even bought Lily a massive new play set for the private courtyard.
Yet, the elephant in the room remained unspoken. What were they now?
A heavy knocking sounded at the estate's heavy oak front doors, followed by the deep, frantic voice of Marcus echoing in the foyer.
"Boss! We have a situation! Marco Bellini just called an emergency meeting of the Five Families at the harbor club. He knows you were out of state for three days. He's claiming you're getting soft... he's moving to seize the Brooklyn shipping contracts tonight!"
Sophia stepped into the hallway, her heart sinking into her stomach.
Dominic stood near the grand marble staircase, wearing a pristine black tailored suit, pulling on a pair of dark leather gloves. His face was cold, emotionless, and carved from marble.
"Let him try," Dominic said, his voice flat and deadly. "Gather thirty men. Have the cars ready in five minutes."
"Dominic!" Sophia called out, stepping into the foyer, her hands trembling.
Dominic stopped, turning his head to look at her. The icy mask on his face melted slightly as his eyes met hers. "Sophia. Go downstairs with Lily. Stay inside tonight."
"Is it dangerous?" she asked, her voice cracking with rising panic. "Are you... are you going to fight?"
Dominic walked over to her, stopping inches away. He reached out, his leather-clad fingers gently cupping her chin, raising her face to his. "Marco Bellini thinks because I showed mercy to a family, I have lost my edge. He doesn't understand that having something to protect makes a man infinitely more lethal."
"Please be careful," Sophia whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't... don't get hurt. We need you."
Dominic's thumb stroked her cheek gently. "I'll be back before midnight. I have a promise to keep."
He turned and strode out the heavy iron doors, followed by Marcus and a team of armed men.
The next four hours were the longest of Sophia's life.
She sat on the sofa in the dimly lit living room, holding the sleeping Lily in her arms, staring at the grand grandfather clock ticking loudly in the corner. Every minute felt like an eternity. She realized with terrifying clarity that she wasn't just afraid for her job or her future—she was deeply, helplessly in love with Dominic Moretti.
At 11:45 PM, the heavy front doors swung open.
Sophia leaped to her feet, laying Lily down on the couch, and rushed into the foyer.
Dominic stood in the center of the hall. His jacket was slightly disheveled, and there was a dark smear of grease—or blood—along his left cuff, but his posture was upright and victorious. Marcus stood behind him, looking weary but uninjured.
"Dominic!" Sophia cried out, throwing all caution to the wind as she ran across the marble floor and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest.
Dominic froze in surprise for a single second before his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, lifting her off her feet, pulling her flush against his body. He buried his face in her hair, taking a deep, ragged breath of her sweet scent.
"It's over," Dominic whispered into her ear, his voice rough and thick with emotion. "Bellini is gone. The families have yielded. The city is secure."
Sophia pulled back slightly, looking up into his dark, fierce eyes, her hands resting on his broad shoulders. "You came back."
"I told you," Dominic murmured, his eyes dropping to her lips. "I always keep my promises."
He leaned down, closing the distance between them, and pressed his lips against hers in a deep, desperate, intoxicating kiss that shattered four years of unstated boundaries, fear, and restraint.
Sophia let out a soft sigh into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his dark hair, giving herself over completely to the heat and power of his love.
When he finally pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, his eyes were glowing with a fierce, absolute devotion.
"No more cleaning rooms, Sophia," Dominic growled softly, his thumb tracing her lower lip. "No more living in the basement. You are not my employee. You never will be again."
May you like
"Dominic..." she breathed.
"You are my wife," he stated with absolute authority. "If you will have me."
