Chapter 3 - The Threat at the Gate
The private lobby of the Duca residential tower was silent except for the hum of the air conditioning. Raymond, the elderly doorman who had helped Elena keep her secret for three months, stood nervously behind his desk while four heavily armed Duca enforcers flanked the entrance.
Victor Moretti walked in through the glass doors, wearing a custom grey suit and a sinister, knowing smile. He was the younger nephew of Don Carmine Moretti—the man responsible for the death of Alessandro’s family years ago.
"Alessandro," Victor greeted smoothly, opening his arms as if visiting an old friend. "You're a hard man to reach today. I heard your Zurich deal collapsed this morning."
"It didn't collapse, Victor," Alessandro said, standing in the center of the lobby with his hands in his pockets. "It was postponed. What do you want?"
Victor stepped closer, his eyes scanning the security detail. "My uncle wants to renegotiate the distribution rights for the Manhattan waterfront. We know you've been shifting assets into legitimate real estate. You're getting soft, Alessandro."
"Soft?" Alessandro echoed, his voice dangerously soft.
"Word on the street is that you've been distracted," Victor sneered, leaning in. "Our sources inside your building say you've taken a sudden interest in domestic affairs. A maid? A fatherless bastard child living in your penthouse?"
In an instant, the air in the lobby turned lethal.
Matteo drew his sidearm with lightning speed, pressing the barrel directly against Victor’s throat before Victor’s bodyguards could even reach for their coats. The four Duca enforcers unholstered their weapons, aiming at Victor’s men.
Victor’s cocky smile vanished, replaced by a sudden flare of panic as he felt the cold steel against his neck.
Alessandro didn't draw a gun. He simply took one step forward, towering over Victor, his eyes burning with a dark, terrifying flame.
"Listen to me very carefully, Victor," Alessandro whispered into Victor’s ear. "If you so much as speak the name of anyone living on my top floor again, I will not wage a war with your uncle. I will walk into his estate, I will put a bullet through his head, and then I will feed you to the crabs in the East River. Do you understand me?"
Victor swallowed hard against the gun barrel. "We... we just want the dock contract, Duca."
"The dock contract is closed," Alessandro said, backing away. "Get out of my building before I change my mind about letting you leave on your feet."
Matteo shoved Victor backward toward the doors. Victor cleared his throat, adjusting his tie, his face flushed with embarrassment and rage.
"This isn't over, Duca!" Victor spat as his bodyguards backed out through the glass doors. "You can't protect everyone!"
As the armored sedan sped away into the rain, Matteo lowered his weapon and turned to Alessandro. "He’s going to attack the docks, boss. He knows we're vulnerable during the transition."
"Let him try," Alessandro said, turning back toward the elevators. "Reinforce the penthouse guard detail. Put two men on Elena and the baby twenty-four hours a day."
May you like
"Boss," Matteo hesitated. "Is she really just a maid to you?"
Alessandro stood inside the elevator, watching the doors slowly close. "She’s the only person in this city who looked at me today and didn't see a monster. Protect her with your life."
