Chapter 9 - PROTECTION AND BLOOD
Elena’s hand flew to her mouth, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. "Taken...?"
Alessandro didn't offer a detailed explanation. The political war within the mafia families was not something an innocent housekeeper needed to understand, but the child resting in his arms changed everything about his position in Chicago.
He turned his head toward the open office doors, where the monitors were now flashing dark blue as the encrypted connection was severed from his end.
"If the elders in New York find out this child exists," Alessandro said, his voice dropping into a register of cold, absolute declaration, "they will tear this city apart to take her from you."
Elena’s eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated horror. She took a step forward, reaching out for her baby. "No! Please, Mr. Duca! Give her to me! We'll run... we'll leave Chicago today—"
"You won't run anywhere," Alessandro cut her off, stepping forward so that his broad chest blocked her path. "Out there, you are an easy target. A single mother with no protection, carrying a child with that bloodline, wouldn't survive three days."
Elena stared at him, tears flowing freely. "Then what are you going to do to us?"
Alessandro looked down at little Mia. The baby let out another soft, contented sigh, leaning her head right over his heart, her tiny pink bow catching the bright sunlight streaming through the windows.
May you like
Alessandro carefully unclasped the thin silver chain from around his own neck—a chain holding his own heavy signet ring—and threaded the tiny silver pendant onto it alongside his ring, tucking both securely beneath his starched white collar.
"You stay here," Alessandro commanded, looking into Elena’s eyes with absolute resolve. "You and Mia move into the master suite on the top floor today. No more housekeeping duties. No more hiding in the back quarters."
