Chapter 7 - The Night of Long Knives
Two weeks later, the snow had melted into a cold, crisp winter rain that washed away the sins of the past month.
Dominic stood on the private balcony of his penthouse, looking down at the gleaming lights of Manhattan. The legitimate port acquisition was finalized that morning, transferring millions in legal shipping contracts directly under the clean, audited banner of the Moretti Group. The criminal underworld knew one thing for certain: Dominic Moretti was absolute, untouchable, and more powerful than ever.
Yet, as he turned back inside, his eyes didn't look for ledger books or security reports. They looked toward the living room.
There, sitting on the plush sofa, was Lily. She was carefully coloring in a new drawing book, while Elena sat nearby, helping her sort crayons.
For the past two weeks, Elena and Lily had stayed under Dominic’s protection while he arranged a permanent, safe future for them. But tonight, the arrangements were complete.
Dominic walked into the room, clearing his throat softly.
Elena looked up, her heart skipping a beat as it always did when the towering, intimidating mob boss entered her space. "Dominic? Is everything alright with the docks?"
"The docks are clean, Elena," Dominic said, his voice unusually gentle. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two airline tickets and a set of keys. "And so is your future."
Elena frowned, standing up slowly. "What does this mean?"
"It means," Dominic said, stepping closer, "that you and Lily don't have to look over your shoulders anymore. I’ve liquidated a portfolio of legitimate real estate in Tuscany, Italy. There’s a quiet, beautiful villa waiting there. A new life. No crime, no forged letters, no danger."
Elena stared at the tickets, tears welling in her eyes, though this time they were tears of overwhelming relief. "You're... you're sending us away?"
"I'm giving you freedom," Dominic corrected softly. "I wanted to ensure you were safe before I... before I let you go."
Before Elena could speak, little Lily jumped off the couch, ran over, and grabbed the hem of Dominic’s expensive suit jacket.
May you like
"Dom," Lily looked up with big, pleading eyes, clutching Mr. Buttons tight. "Are you coming with us?"
Dominic froze. For thirty-nine years, he had believed he was incapable of redemption, bound eternally to the blood-soaked throne of the Moretti family. But looking down at Lily—and seeing the quiet, desperate hope reflected in Elena’s tearful eyes—he realized his greatest prison wasn't his empire. It was his own loneliness.
