Chapter 4 - A Shift in the House
Within forty-eight hours, the atmosphere of the Caruso estate had fundamentally changed. For the past decade, the mansion had been a fortress of grim men, whispered threats, and cold strategy. Now, the echoing halls were occasionally interrupted by the soft patter of five-year-old footsteps.
Dante had placed Maria and Elena in the opulent guest wing, a suite of rooms larger than their entire apartment building. Elena walked through the massive corridors with wide-eyed wonder, clutching her battered stuffed bear.
Dante’s men—hardened killers, extortionists, and enforcers—didn't know how to react. Enzo, a man who had once dismantled a rival crew with a crowbar, was caught in the kitchen sneaking a freshly baked cookie to Elena while Maria wasn't looking.
Dante observed this from the balcony overlooking the grand foyer. He watched as Elena approached the front door, stopping to stare up at the massive, heavily armed guard named Rocco. Rocco was six-foot-five, covered in tattoos, and permanently scowling.
“Are you a giant?” Elena asked, tilting her head back.
Rocco stiffened, glancing up nervously at Dante on the balcony, unsure of the protocol for speaking to the boss's new... whatever this was. Dante gave a barely perceptible nod.
“Uh, no, little lady,” Rocco grunted, shifting his tactical rifle behind his back so it wouldn't scare her. “Just tall.”
“My mama says tall people are closer to the clouds. Have you ever touched one?”
May you like
Rocco’s scowl cracked. A genuine smile broke across his scarred face. “Only once. It was very soft.”
Dante turned away, walking back into his study. He poured himself a glass of amber liquid, the ice clinking against the crystal. He had built this empire on fear and absolute ruthlessness. He had sworn never to let anyone close enough to become a liability. Yet, the sound of that little girl's laughter echoing up the marble staircase was slowly tearing down walls that took him a lifetime to build. He was becoming attached, and in his world, attachment was a death sentence.
