Chapter 10 - The Vow of Protection
The snow continued to fall softly over Chicago, covering the chaos of the afternoon in a blanket of pristine white.
Vincent walked slowly toward Claire, the heavy silver locket clenched tightly in his fist. He stopped just inches away from her. Up close, Claire could see the heavy toll of his life etched into the corners of his piercing gray eyes.
"You saved my nephew," Vincent said, his voice thick with an emotion he rarely allowed the world to see. "And you brought my grandmother's warning home. You walked into the crossfire of a war that wasn't yours, just to protect my blood."
Claire offered a small, gentle smile. "Rosa told me you were a good man, Vincent. Beneath all the darkness, she said you fiercely loved your family. I just did what she would have done."
Vincent reached out and gently placed the silver locket into Claire’s hand, folding her fingers over it.
"You keep it," he said softly. "As long as you wear that, you are untouchable in this city, or any other. My men, my resources, my life—they are at your disposal. You are under the protection of my family forever, Claire."
May you like
From behind the bodyguards, little Matteo ran out again, hugging Claire’s waist tightly. She smiled, kneeling down one last time to hug the brave little boy back, knowing that because of one act of courage, she had shattered a conspiracy, saved a child, and gained the ultimate respect of the most dangerous man in Chicago.
Would you have been brave enough to step in and save the crying boy at the station, even if it meant crossing the mafia?
