Chapter 6 - The Empire Chooses
Salvatore was arrested along with six of his men.
But Dominic's organization didn't immediately accept the truth.
The next evening, senior figures gathered inside the Vale estate.
Some were angry.
Some were afraid.
Some believed Salvatore.
Dominic entered alone.
Victor stood near the wall.
Elena watched from the doorway.
Salvatore's brother, Carlo, spoke first.
“You handed a man who served your father to the authorities.”
Dominic sat.
“He tried to kill my family.”
“According to a child.”
“According to financial records, phone records, surveillance footage, recorded conversations, and his own men.”
Carlo shook his head.
“This isn't how your father handled betrayal.”
Dominic looked at him.
“My father is dead.”
Silence.
“And I'm done letting dead men decide how the living raise their children.”
Nobody spoke.
Dominic stood.
“For years, you called fear loyalty.”
He looked around the table.
“You called violence strength.”
He pointed toward Victor.
“You called suspicion wisdom.”
Then toward Elena.
“And when my wife disappeared because one of us threatened my son, you called it unfortunate.”
Carlo frowned.
“What are you saying?”
“I'm saying things change tonight.”
A lieutenant asked:
“Meaning?”
“No more targeting families.”
Another man laughed.
“Dominic—”
“Leave.”
The laughter stopped.
“What?”
“If hurting children is necessary for you to do business, leave my table.”
Nobody moved.
Dominic continued.
“No trafficking. No extortion of ordinary businesses. No family threats. No revenge against spouses or children.”
Carlo stood.
“You'll destroy everything.”
Dominic looked at him.
“Then maybe everything needed destroying.”
Carlo walked out.
Two others followed.
Victor remained.
So did most of the room.
Later, Dominic found Elena on the balcony.
“You heard?”
“All of it.”
“You think I'm making a mistake?”
Elena looked at him.
“A year ago, I would've said yes.”
“And now?”
“Now I think you're finally choosing what matters.”
Dominic stepped closer.
“Does that mean you're staying?”
Elena looked through the glass doors.
Matteo and Emma were playing on the floor.
“I don't know.”
Dominic's face fell slightly.
She touched his hand.
“But I want to try.”
He nodded.
“That’s enough.”
Then Matteo ran outside.
“Dad!”
“What?”
“Emma broke the lamp.”
Emma appeared behind him.
“Matteo!”
“You did!”
“You kicked the ball!”
“You threw it!”
Dominic stared at them.
Elena started laughing.
Dominic looked at her.
“What?”
“This.”
“What?”
“You spent your entire life wanting an empire.”
She nodded toward the arguing children.
“Congratulations.”
Dominic smiled.
“I think this one's more expensive.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Are you mad?”
Dominic looked at the broken lamp.
“How expensive was it?” Elena asked.
“Don't ask.”
Emma's eyes widened.
“Really expensive?”
Dominic sighed.
“Emma.”
“Yes?”
“Next time, break something in Victor's house.”
From inside, Victor shouted:
“I heard that.”
For the first time in years, the Vale estate filled with laughter instead of fear.
But one question remained.
May you like
What happened to Emma?
Dominic already knew the answer.
