Chapter 20 - The Return to the Estate
By 8:30 AM, the reinforced Mercedes SUV swept smoothly through the grand iron gates of the Long Island estate, rolling up the winding drive beneath the towering, ancient oaks. The damp shroud of the pre-dawn mist was completely gone, replaced by a crisp, bright autumn morning that illuminated the sprawling stone facade of the main house.
Sal and the core detail of security men stood at attention near the main entrance, their expressions professional and disciplined. As Vince brought the convoy to a clean halt, Sal stepped forward, pulling open the passenger door with practiced efficiency.
Dominic transferred himself smoothly into his graphite-gray wheelchair, his upper body movement fluid and completely controlled. He adjusted the cuffs of his tactical turtleneck, his posture radiating absolute authority. Isabella stepped out from the other side of the vehicle, breathing in the fresh, clean air of the estate grounds with a visible sense of release.
"Everything is secure, Boss," Sal reported crisply, keeping his eyes forward. "The northern perimeter is clear, the financial transfers cleared through Zurich twenty minutes ago, and the local authorities haven't logged a single irregularity in the marina sector."
May you like
"Good," Dominic replied, his voice carrying the effortless weight of undisputed command. "Double the watch rotation at the main gates for the next forty-eight hours. I don't want any unexpected visitors while we settle back in."
Sal gave a sharp nod and fell back to coordinate the remaining detail. Dominic looked up at the grand oak doors of the house where his journey had begun—the place where he had spent months staring at the ceiling, wondering if he would ever rise again. He had risen. And he would never look back.
