37. Dominic
CHAPTER 37
Dominic
T he grandfather clock ticks away in the corner, each second a painful reminder that it's been a month since Serafina vanished without a trace. I pace around my office, the crystal tumbler of scotch in my hand doing little to calm my nerves.
Lucas claims he knows nothing about Serafina. But there's something about that bastardo I don't trust. Guys with connections like his always have hidden intentions; I'm convinced he knows more than he's letting on. Cazzo! Fuck. Despite all our resources and connections, a month has gone by without a single lead. It's like my baby sister just disappeared into thin air.
I drain the last of the scotch, letting it burn down my throat before slamming the glass on the mahogany desk. Time to get some answers. One way or another.
The family is already gathered in the dining room when I enter. Mamma sits at the head of the table, regal as ever in her black Valentino dress. Beside her, the ever-supportive husband, Papà nursing a glass of Barolo, his brows furrowed in thought. Marco and Enzo flank them, the muscles and the brains. And, of course, Leonard, the baby of the family; too young to really understand the gravity of the situation.
"Buonasera - good evening -Dominic," Mamma greets me with a nod. "I trust you have news for us?"
I take my seat, ignoring the tension crackling in the air. "The Fallen Angels deal is going smoothly, thanks to Lucas. The money and the safety of their manpower is making a difference in our war."
Enzo leans forward, his eyes narrowing. "But you still don't trust any of them, do you hermano - brother? Not after Sera..."
"No," I cut him off, my jaw clenching. "I don't. But that's not why I called this meeting."
Silence falls, heavy with anticipation. I take a breath, choosing my following words carefully.
"It's time to take out the Fabiettis. Once and for all. This tregua - truce - was never going to last. And with Sera gone, we're just sitting ducks. I say we ask The Fallen Angels to help us knock 'em out of the game for good."
Mamma arches a perfectly sculpted brow. "Sei sicuro - are you sure -, Dominic? Do you think we're ready?"
"It's now or never," I counter, my tone brooking no argument. "With the Fallen Angels in our corner, we can end this. We won't have to live in fear of them anymore."
What I don’t tell them, however, is that our entire future rests on The Fallen Angels. I'm putting all our eggs in their basket, blindly hoping they can deliver. It's a high-stakes game of give and take - we gave them what they wanted by granting them unrestricted access to our docks, and now it's their turn to help us. If they succeed, we'll have a powerful ally to push our operations even further. But if they fail, we'll be burnt toast with extra butter on top - no survivors, no second chances.
I can see the wheels turning in everyone's heads as they mull it over. Ezra is the first to speak, ever the pragmatist. "We'll need Lucas to broker the deal with The Fallen Angels. It's what's right, Dom."
I grimace, hating that he's right. Trusting that stronzo - asshole - is the last thing I want to do. But for the good of the family and the hopes of finding Sera, I'll do what I must. Even if it means shaking hands with the devil himself.
"Fine," I concede, the word bitter on my tongue. "Talk to Lucas, but he better not fuck this up.Or I'll bury him right alongside the Fabiettis. Capisce?"
Mamma reaches over to pat my hand, a sad smile playing on her lips. "We'll find her. One way or another, we'll bring our Serafina home."
I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. For Serafina, I'd wage wars and burn cities. AndGod help anyone who stands in my way.
Marco nods, his expression grim. "I'll handle Lucas. He may be a stronzo, but he's not stupid. He knows the score."
Papi clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. After his heart attack, he has stepped back from the family business, leaving my mother to take charge with my assistance as I am next in line to become the Don. "We do what we must for the family." His voice is steady, resolute. A man who has seen too much and endured too much. "The Fabiettis have taken from us, time and again," he continues, his gaze sweeping the room. "Chipping away at our territory, our pride... and now, for all we know, they could be behind our Serafina's disappearance. It ends now."
A chorus of agreement ripples through the room, a solemn vow. We are Mancinis, bound by blood and honor. And we will not rest until justice is served.
I push to my feet, my chair scraping against the hardwood floor. "I'll be in my office. Let me know when the meeting with Lucas is set."
As I stride from the room, I feel their eyes on my back. The weight of their expectations, their fears. But I will not falter. I will not fail.