Chapter 2 - THE INFILTRATION
Within thirty minutes, Dominic’s chief of security, Leo, entered the study holding a black leather folder.
Leo was a hardened former tactical operative who rarely showed emotion, but as he laid the printouts on Dominic’s desk, his jaw was tightly clenched.
"Boss," Leo said, glancing briefly at me. "She’s telling the truth. We pulled the high-definition footage from the north fence line. A gray sedan with fake plates has been idling near the service entrance every evening at 6:00 PM. But it gets worse."
Dominic leaned over the desk, his knuckles turning white against the mahogany surface. "Speak."
"Marcus isn't acting alone," Leo revealed, sliding a thermal imaging photograph across the table. "He’s backed by Julian Moretti’s crew out of South Brooklyn. Moretti isn't after cash. He’s using Marcus to force an entry point into your eastern vault. They know about the server backup keys kept in the estate basement."
My breath caught in my throat. Julian Moretti was Dominic’s fiercest rival—a ruthless cartel lieutenant who had been trying to breach the Valente network for over five years.
"So the threat isn't just outside my gates," Dominic said, his voice dropping an octave into pure ice. "It’s already crossed them."
Dominic stood up and walked toward the tall window, staring out into the pouring rain and the dark pine trees bordering the estate.
"They picked the wrong leverage," Dominic murmured softly.
He turned back to me. "Elena, you and Sophie will not return to the staff quarters. Leo, clear the guest suite on the third floor immediately. Put round-the-clock guards at her door."
"Mr. Valente," I pleaded, stepping forward, "I can just leave. I can take Sophie and run—I don't want to bring danger to your home!"
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Dominic stopped right in front of me. The sheer presence of the man was overwhelming, yet for the first time in two years, I didn't feel afraid of him. I felt an impenetrable wall of protection.
"You've taken care of this house for two years, Elena," Dominic said, his dark eyes meeting mine with absolute resolve. "Nobody runs from my home. And nobody touches the people inside it."
