Chapter 4 - The Shadow in the Council
Rosa swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper as she uttered the name that had haunted her nightmares for years.
"Underboss Silvio," Rosa said cleanly. "Every single dollar was routed directly into accounts managed by Underboss Silvio and his son, Marco."
Dante didn't flinch, but a cold, lethal fire sparked behind his eyes.
Underboss Silvio was the oldest living member of the Falcone council—a man Dante had treated like an uncle since childhood. Silvio had stood by Dante's side at his wife's funeral, shedding crocodile tears while secretly plundering the very charity created in her memory.
"Does Silvio know you are here in this house?" Dante asked, his posture rigid.
"He doesn't know who I am," Rosa replied, wiping her tears. "I changed my maiden name and applied as an entry-level housemaid through an outside agency. I only stayed here because I thought the safest place to hide from Silvio was right under your roof. But now... Sophia is getting older. She talks to everyone. I was planning to run away tonight."
Dante walked slowly across the Persian rug until he was standing directly in front of Rosa. He reached out, his large, calloused hand gently lifting her chin so she was forced to meet his gaze.
"You will not run away, Rosa," Dante said in a tone of absolute, unshakeable authority. "You and your daughter are under my personal protection now. No one in this city—not Silvio, not his son, not an entire army—will ever harm a single hair on your heads."
Just then, the heavy double doors of the study burst open without warning.
Underboss Silvio walked in, flanked by two heavy enforcers, holding a thick leather folder in his hand.
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"Dante! We have an emergency meeting with the board," Silvio announced arrogantly, his grey hair slicked back, wearing an expensive tailored suit. He stopped abruptly, his condescending gaze falling upon Rosa in her maid's apron. "Why is a servant standing in your private office?"
👉 Click to continue reading as Silvio tries to dismiss Rosa.
