Chapter 6 - THE RETALIATION PLAN
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The blood in my veins turned straight to ice.
A child’s restraint harness.
They hadn't just come to attack Luca or damage his property.
Vanessa’s father had intended to abduct Ellie from the staff quarters to use her as a hostage against the Moretti syndicate.
I leaped up from the sofa, my breathing coming in panicked gasps as I rushed toward the adjoining bedroom.
I pulled the door open, desperate to lay my eyes on my daughter.
Ellie was still sleeping soundly, curled around her pillow, completely unaware of the monsters hunting outside her window.
I pressed my forehead against the wooden doorframe, weeping silently in terror.
Luca stepped up behind me, his large, warm hand coming to rest firmly against the nape of my neck.
The steady weight of his touch grounded me, pulling me back from the edge of hysteria.
“Breathe, Madison,” he whispered, his chest pressing lightly against my back.
“Look at me.”
I slowly turned around, meeting his blazing, uncompromising eyes.
“They were going to take my baby,” I choked out, tears burning my cheeks.
“They tried,” Luca corrected coldly.
“And now they are in Marco’s custody in the subterranean holding cells.”
He gently wiped a tear from my cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“Nobody is taking Ellie.”
“I will burn the entire south side of Chicago to ash before anyone lays a finger on your daughter.”
He stepped back, pulling his radio up to his mouth.
“Marco.”
“Yes, boss?”
“Bring the two drivers to the wine cellar.”
“Call a mandatory assembly of the Five Families at the Palmer House Grand Ballroom for ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“The Five Families?” Marco sounded surprised.
“Boss, the Commission hasn't gathered in an open assembly since 2018.”
“Then tomorrow, they will witness a coronation,” Luca said with icy finality.
“Tell Don Falcone and Don Lucchese that Salvatore Bellini has violated the Sacred Blood Charter.”
“If they want to maintain their territories, they will be seated in the front row when the gavel strikes.”
“Understood, boss.”
Luca lowered the radio, his mind already working several moves ahead like a master chess player.
He looked at me, assessing my state with sharp, calculating eyes.
“Madison, you cannot stay in a maid’s uniform tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, sir?” I asked, wiping my face with the back of my sleeve.
“Tomorrow morning, you and Ellie are walking into the Palmer House with me,” Luca declared.
My breath caught in my throat.
“Into a meeting of the mafia bosses?!”
“I am a housekeeper! Those men will laugh in your face!”
“They will not laugh,” Luca said, his voice dropping to a low, commanding growl.
“They will bow.”
He walked over to the antique telephone on the desk and dialed the estate’s personal stylist and wardrobe director.
“Sophia,” Luca spoke into the receiver.
“Wake your tailors.”
“I need an emerald green couture silk dress fitted for Madison by eight o'clock tomorrow morning.”
“And a matching ivory dress for a seven-year-old girl.”
“Bring the family emerald necklace from the vault.”
I stepped forward, waving my hands frantically in protest.
“Luca, please! I can’t wear family emeralds! That’s insane!”
Luca hung up the phone without acknowledging my protest.
He walked over, stopping inches from where I stood, looking down at me with an expression of fierce, unyielding ownership.
“Vanessa Bellini spent six months trying to convince this city that she was the queen of the Moretti empire,” Luca whispered.
“Tomorrow, I will show this entire city who truly holds my respect.”
He reached out, his fingers lightly brushing the curve of my cheek.
May you like
“Get some sleep, Madison.”
“Tomorrow, the maid becomes the lady of this house.”
