Chapter 5 - The Shadows Close In
While my home life was healing, my professional life was descending into chaos. The Moretti family had taken my sudden absence and canceled meetings as a sign of weakness. They started pushing into my territory. They took over the shipping ports in Brooklyn. They threatened my distributors. I was losing millions, but worse, I was losing respect. In my world, a loss of respect meant a loss of life. I tried to keep the darkness out of the estate. I took meetings in the basement level, far away from the boys and Marisol. But Marisol was too sharp to be fooled. One evening, after the boys were asleep, I was standing on the back terrace, smoking a cigar. My knuckles were bruised from a 'negotiation' earlier that day. The sliding glass door opened, and Marisol stepped out into the cool autumn air. She wrapped a thick shawl around her shoulders. "You're bleeding," she said quietly, handing me a damp washcloth. I looked down at my hand. A small cut had reopened. "It's nothing," I muttered, taking the cloth. "It's never nothing with you, Julian," she said. She had started using my first name weeks ago. Every time she said it, it sent a jolt straight to my heart. "I can handle my business, Marisol." "Can you?" She stepped closer. "Because there are three extra security SUVs parked at the front gate. Victor is carrying an assault rifle under his coat. And you haven't slept in two days." I turned away, looking out into the dark woods that surrounded my property. "It's complicated," I said. "It's dangerous," she corrected. "I know who you are, Julian. I've always known. I grew up around gangs. I know the smell of an impending war." I crushed the cigar in the ashtray. "I will never let anything happen to you or the boys. You have my word." She reached out and gently touched my bruised knuckles. Her touch was light, but it made my breath hitch. "I'm not worried about me," she whispered, looking up into my eyes. "And I know you'd die to protect the boys. But who is protecting you, Julian?" No one had asked me that. Not ever. I was the boss. I was the shield. I was the monster in the dark. Monsters didn't need protection. I looked down at her, seeing the genuine fear and care in her expression. The urge to pull her into my arms was overwhelming. I leaned in, and I saw her breath catch. Her eyes fluttered shut. I was inches from her lips when my phone buzzed violently in my pocket. The spell broke. Marisol stepped back, clearing her throat. I pulled the phone out. It was Victor. "Boss," Victor's voice was tense. "We have a problem. Moretti just firebombed one of our warehouses. And he sent a message." "What message?" I growled, all the warmth leaving my body. "He has the blueprints to the estate, Julian. He's coming for your home."
