Chapter 9 - The Promise
Dominic unlocked the heavy oak door and stepped into his private office.
Lily was sitting on the leather sofa, clutching baby Noah tightly to her chest. She had heard the shouting outside, and she was shaking uncontrollably, terrified that Marcus was coming to finish the job.
Dominic stopped in the doorway. He looked at the bruises on her arms. He looked at the worn, pale-yellow dress. His chest ached with a profound, overwhelming sorrow.
He slowly walked over and knelt down on the floor, bringing his towering, muscular frame right down to her eye level so he wouldn't intimidate her.
“Lily,” Dominic said softly, his deep voice filled with a warmth and gentleness the mafia boss rarely showed. “It’s over. He’s gone. He will never, ever hurt you or your brother again.”
Lily stared at him, her lips trembling. “He won't come back?”
“Never,” Dominic promised, placing a large, tattooed hand gently over hers. “Your father was a very good man, Lily. He was my closest friend. I owe him my life. And because I failed to protect him, I am going to spend the rest of my life protecting you.”
Lily’s tough, brave exterior finally broke. The sheer exhaustion and trauma of the last three weeks caught up to her. With a heavy, beautiful sob, she leaned forward and buried her face into Dominic’s shoulder.
Dominic carefully wrapped his massive arms around the little girl and the baby, holding them tight, offering a safe harbor in a dark world.
Rosa stood by the door, wiping her own tears away, witnessing the most dangerous man in Chicago become a father in the blink of an eye.
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The nightmare was finally over. The long, terrifying run had ended.
👉 What does the future hold for the orphans and the man who saved them?
