Chapter 3 - The Bloodline Awakens
The heavy grandfather clock struck ten, its hollow chimes reverberating through the study. Every instinct screamed at me to take Sophia, run out through the service entrance, jump into my beaten-down Honda Civic, and drive until the gas tank ran dry.
""I don't want any of it,"" I said frantically, pulling Sophia into my arms and lifting her against my chest. ""I don't want your money. I don't want your bloodline, and I certainly don't want your war. I make twenty-two dollars an hour cleaning your bathrooms, Mr. Cruz. That's all I want. Let me take my daughter and leave. We'll move to California. You'll never see us again.""
Damian turned back toward me, a sad, bitter smile playing at the corners of his lips.
""Do you really think Vittorio's loyalists are gone, Rosa?"" he asked. ""Do you think Marco and the men outside didn't notice how Bruno behaved? For three years, that dog hasn't let another human being touch his head without growling. The moment my men walked out of this door, phone calls were made.""
Right on cue, the red landline on Damian's desk began to flash with a steady, crimson pulse.
He didn't pick it up. Instead, he walked over to a concealed panel in the oak wall, pressed his thumb against a biometric scanner, and the wood slid back to reveal an arsenal of tactical gear, encrypted radios, and cash reserves.
""My uncle had a second son,"" Damian said, pulling out two encrypted burner phones and sliding a clip into a compact semiautomatic pistol. ""His name is Julian. Julian has been waiting in the shadows of Detroit for five years, waiting for an excuse to challenge my claim to the council. He claims Mateo's bloodline died thirty years ago, which makes him the rightful boss. If he discovers Mateo’s daughter and granddaughter are alive under my roof...""
Damian paused, his eyes turning cold and unforgiving. ""He won't let you reach the state line.""
Sophia buried her face into my neck, her small hands clutching the collar of my maid's uniform. ""Mama, why is the nice man mad? Did I break a rule?""
""No, my love,"" I whispered, kissing her temple while trying to steady my breathing. ""You didn't do anything wrong. You're my brave girl.""
Suddenly, the heavy door of the study flew open.
Marco stood in the doorway, breathing heavily. His face was pale, his eyes darting between me and Damian.
""Boss,"" Marco said, his voice strained. ""We have an issue at the south gate. Three black Suburbans just pulled up. They bypassed the outer security checkpoint using an executive clearance code.""
Damian didn't even flinch. It was as if he had anticipated this move years before it happened. ""Who's driving?""
""It's Julian,"" Marco said, his hand tightening on his weapon. ""He brought eight men with him. He says he heard there was a 'family reunion' happening inside the manor, and he wants to pay his respects.""
A cold panic seized my throat. ""They're already here?""
""Marco,"" Damian commanded, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade. ""Take the west corridor. Lock down the panic room on the lower level. Nobody enters without my direct voice confirmation.""
Marco hesitated, his eyes lingering on Sophia and me for half a second too long. In that split second, I saw something shift behind the guard's eyes—a flicker of calculation, of divided loyalty.
""Understood, Boss,"" Marco said, nodding before turning and sprinting down the hallway.
Damian watched him go, then immediately grabbed my arm, his grip firm but careful. ""Marco is compromised. We don't have time for the panic room.""
""What do we do?"" I cried out.
Damian looked down at the Cane Corso. ""Bruno. Guard them.""
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The massive black dog stepped instantly to Sophia's side, his chest broad, his ears perked high, a low rumble vibrating deep within his ribcage.
""We move to the old wine cellar through Mateo’s private tunnel,"" Damian said, pulling Sophia and me toward the back of the study. ""And if anyone gets in our way... Bruno eats.""
