Chapter 9 - THE PROTECTIVE OATH
Within an hour, the quiet, sterile atmosphere of the eighty-second-floor penthouse had been completely transformed.
Alessandro had canceled the video conference, shut down his executive desk, and summoned his chief head of security, Marco, into the main living room.
Marco, a broad, scarred man who had served the Duca family for twenty years, stood near the marble entryway, his eyes wide with absolute shock as he watched Alessandro Duca—the most feared man in the Midwest—sitting on the velvet sofa, carefully feeding ten-month-old Mia a small bottle of milk while Elena sat comfortably beside him.
"Marco," Alessandro called out, his eyes never leaving the baby in his lap.
"Yes, Boss?" Marco answered respectfully, stepping closer.
"Effective immediately," Alessandro commanded, his tone calm, cold, and absolute, "the penthouse security protocol is upgraded to Level One. Double the guards on the ground floor. No one enters this building without my personal biometric clearance."
Marco bowed his head instantly. "Understood, Boss. May I ask why?"
Alessandro looked up, his dark eyes burning with an ancient, terrifying fire that made Marco’s breath hitch.
"Because my brother’s daughter is home," Alessandro said softly. "And if anyone in this city attempts to touch a single hair on her head, I will burn Chicago to the ground."
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Marco looked at Mia, then at Elena, realizing the profound shift that had just occurred within the empire. He bowed his head deeper. "She will be protected with our lives, Boss."
Marco turned and exited the suite, closing the heavy mahogany doors behind him to carry out his orders.
