Chapter 4 - THE MONSTER UNCHAINED
The silence in the grand ballroom was so dense you could hear the soft patter of rain outside against the stained-glass windows.
Thirty-six of the most powerful underworld figures in North America stood frozen, watching the drama unfold. These were men who controlled shipping docks, political figures, and multi-million-dollar smuggling operations. But right now, none of them dared to make a sound.
Because Luca Moretti looked like a demon resurrected from the depths of hell.
He didn't scream. He didn't slam his fists into the table. Instead, an absolute, terrifying calmness settled over his body. His dark eyes, usually cold and calculating, had turned completely void of emotion.
He gently lifted six-year-old Lily into his arms and walked over to Mrs. Carter, who was standing nervously near the pantry entrance.
“Take Lily upstairs to her room,” Luca said softly, his tone completely different from the lethal edge it had possessed moments ago. “Lock the door. Do not let anyone in unless it is Daniel or me.”
“Yes, Mr. Moretti,” Mrs. Carter squeaked, taking the frightened girl.
Lily wrapped her tiny arms around her housekeeper's neck, looking back at her father one last time. “Daddy… is Hannah in trouble?”
Luca turned his head slightly, his eyes falling on me as I lay bleeding on the shattered glass of the floor. A subtle shift occurred in his expression—a mixture of profound shock, regret, and realization.
“No, sweetheart,” Luca whispered. “Hannah is the hero of this house.”
As soon as Mrs. Carter carried Lily up the grand staircase and out of sight, the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Luca turned around slowly. His shoulders threw a long, dark shadow across the polished floor.
“Daniel,” Luca said quietly.
“Yes, Boss?”
“Lock all the exits. Nobody leaves this room. Anyone who tries to use a phone will be shot where they stand.”
Instantly, ten heavily armed Moretti security guards stepped in front of the massive oak doors, drawing their weapons. The wealthy guests gasped, pulling back against the walls, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.
Luca walked slowly toward his fiancée, Vanessa, and his brother, Michael. With every step he took, Michael retreated until his back hit the edge of the marble bar.
“Luca… brother… please,” Michael stammered, sweat pouring down his forehead, soaking his silk tie. “You have to understand! I didn't want any of this! Vanessa forced me! She threatened to go to her father’s syndicate and start a war if I didn't help her!”
“Liar!” Vanessa shrieked, her face turning pale with absolute panic. “You came to me with the plan, Michael! You said you wanted Luca’s seat! You said if we got rid of the girl, Luca would be broken and willing to hand over the Eastern territory!”
The entire room gasped. The betrayal was complete. They had exposed their own treacherous collusion in front of every Syndicate board member present.
Luca stood just two feet away from them. He looked down at the forged documents in his hand, then looked up at Michael.
“My own brother,” Luca said, his voice a low, gravelly rasp. “I gave you a position in my council. I gave you power, wealth, and respect. And you tried to sell my daughter into a foreign prison.”
“Luca, please!” Michael dropped to his knees, trembling violently. “I’m your blood!”
Luca didn't answer him. He turned his deadly gaze to Vanessa.
“And you,” Luca whispered. “You laid your hands on my child. You tried to steal her away on her birthday.”
“Luca, I’m the daughter of Don Bellini!” Vanessa snapped, trying desperately to use her family’s legendary name as a shield. “If you touch me, my father will bring his entire army to Chicago! He will burn this city to the ground!”
A dark, chilling smile spread across Luca’s handsome face. It was a smile completely devoid of mercy.
“Let him try,” Luca said softly.
He didn't draw a gun. Instead, he reached out with lightning speed, grabbing Michael by his throat and hurling him across the room like a ragdoll. Michael slammed heavily into the mahogany banquet table, shattering plates and sending the five-tiered birthday cake crashing to the floor.
Before Vanessa could scream, Luca grabbed her by her slender wrist, twisting it until she dropped to her knees in front of him.
“Where is the transport crew?” Luca demanded, his voice echoing through the silent hall.
“I… I won't tell you!” Vanessa gasped through her tears.
Luca tightened his grip. The sound of a soft crack echoed in the room. Vanessa shrieked in agony.
“Daniel,” Luca called out, not even looking away from Vanessa’s crying face. “Go outside to the rear gates. Take the security team. Intercept the transport vehicle. If anyone resists… kill them all.”
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“Understood, Boss,” Daniel replied, gesturing to four armed men before rushing out the side doors.
Luca let go of Vanessa’s wrist, letting her crumple into a heap on the floor beside his brother. He didn't even give them another glance. He turned his back on his ruined family and walked straight toward the pile of broken glass where I was still struggling to stay conscious.
