Chapter 8 - The Aftermath
The rain stopped just before dawn, leaving the Chicago skyline wrapped in a misty, lavender glow.
By 6:00 AM, the crisis was over. Marco and my elite captains had systematically dismantled the Petrov safe houses across the shipping docks, executing the cartel leaders who had conspired with Marcus. The remaining council bosses, terrified by the sheer ferocity and speed with which I had crushed the coup, gathered at the Romano estate in Oak Brook, kneeling on the manicured lawns to swear absolute, unconditional fealty to my throne.
I stood on the grand marble terrace of the estate, a cup of strong black espresso in hand, watching the morning sun illuminate the sprawling grounds.
The doors to the terrace opened, and Emily walked out, wearing a soft cream cashmere sweater and holding a plate of fresh fruit. The bruises on her face were already beginning to fade, but more importantly, the haunted, hunted look in her eyes had completely vanished. For the first time in five years, she stood with the posture of a true Romano matriarch.
""The council is waiting in the great hall, Dom,"" Emily said quietly, leaning against the balustrade beside me. ""They look like they're ready to jump out of their skin.""
""Let them sweat,"" I replied smoothly. ""Fear is the only language those hyenas understand. If they think I'm unstable because of what happened, they'll hesitate. And hesitation keeps us safe.""
Emily looked out over the gardens, taking a deep, shuddering breath of fresh morning air. ""I still can't believe I'm here. For years, all I had was a tiny window overlooking a gravel pit. I used to tell Daisy stories about you every single night. I told her her uncle was a giant teddy bear who could protect her from anything in the world.""
""She believed every word,"" I smiled, feeling the persistent warmth in my chest expand. ""She didn't flinch once last night. Even when the bullets were flying, she was bossing around twenty grown men with a broken toy microphone.""
Emily laughed, a bright, melodic sound that seemed to chase away the lingering ghosts of our past. ""Speaking of that monster... she woke up an hour ago and has already demanded that your bodyguards carry her around like a queen.""
Right on cue, the double glass doors burst open.
Daisy marched onto the terrace, wearing a fresh pink princess dress with sparkly silver shoes that clicked against the marble. Behind her, looking completely utterly defeated, was Gianni—a six-foot-six, three-hundred-pound enforcer who had survived three federal prison riots—carrying a tray of pink frosted cupcakes and a stuffed teddy bear.
""HALT!"" Daisy commanded, holding up her tiny hand.
Gianni froze instantly, sweating profusely under his tailored suit. ""Yes, Boss Daisy?""
""Place the cupcake on the table, please! And do not squish Mr. Fluff-Fluff!""
""Right away, ma'am,"" Gianni stammered, gingerly setting the tray down before glancing at me with pleading eyes. ""Boss... can I go back to guarding the armory? Please? She made me wear a tiara for forty-five minutes.""
I couldn't hold back the booming laugh that tore from my throat. ""Dismissed, Gianni. Go clean your rifle.""
Gianni practically bolted down the steps, leaving Daisy puffing out her cheeks in slight disappointment.
""He's not very good at tea parties,"" Daisy sighed, walking over and tugging on the hem of my trousers. ""Mister Teddy! You have to sit down! You're too tall! My neck hurts looking at your ears!""
I knelt down on the cold marble, looking directly into the sparkling brown eyes that had saved my sister's life and reclaimed my empire.
""Is this better, princess?"" I asked.
Daisy reached out, patted both of my cheeks with sticky, sugar-coated fingers, and nodded approvingly. ""Much better. Now clap your hands.""
""Excuse me?""
""CLAP!"" she demanded, stomping her tiny silver shoe. ""We won the hide-and-seek game! You have to clappy-clap!""
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I looked over at Emily, who was biting her lip to keep from bursting into hysterical laughter. The Chicago underworld's most ruthless boss, a man whose name made federal prosecutors tremble, slowly raised his hands and gave a slow, enthusiastic round of applause.
""Yay!"" Daisy cheered, throwing her arms around my neck and burying her face against my lapel. ""Good boy, Mister Teddy!""
