Chapter 4 - Safe Harbor
The extraction of the children had to be flawless. Under the guise of a weekend retreat to his private estate in Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, Dominic arranged for Elena to take Lucas and Sophia ahead of schedule.
“I’ve booked a private transport,” Dominic told Victoria over dinner that evening. “The kids have been stressed with school. I want Elena to take them up to the lake house for a week of fresh air. I’ll join them once I finish the shipments on Thursday.”
Victoria paused, her fork hovering. “A week? But darling, the charity gala is on Wednesday. I wanted them there for the family portraits. It looks so good for the press.”
“The press can wait,” Dominic said, his tone brook-no-argument firm, the classic mafia patriarch. “My children’s health comes first. They look pale. They need the country air.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed slightly, searching his face for any sign of suspicion. Dominic remained a stone wall. Finally, she smiled, her mask slipping back into place. “Of course, darling. You’re such a devoted father. I’ll help them pack.”
“No need,” Elena’s quiet voice broke in as she cleared the table. “I have already packed their bags, Ms. Santoro. We can leave tonight to avoid the morning traffic.”
That night, Dominic stood by the tinted windows of his SUV as Elena loaded the kids into the back seat. He leaned in, wrapping his arms around both Lucas and Sophia. It was the first time in months he had held them without Victoria watching like a hawk.
“Listen to me,” Dominic whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “You are safe now. Elena is going to take care of you at the lake house. No one is going to hurt you. Ever again. Do you understand me?”
Sophia buried her face in his neck, her small hands gripping his coat. “Are you coming, Papa?”
“Soon, my love. I have to clean up some trash in the city first.” He looked at Lucas, who was watching him with a mature, solemn understanding. Dominic cupped his son's face. “You did a good job protecting her, Lucas. But your shift is over. I’m taking over now.”
May you like
Lucas nodded, a tear finally escaping his eye as he let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for months.
As the SUV pulled away into the rainy Chicago night, Dominic watched the taillights disappear. When he turned back to the penthouse, his face was devoid of humanity. The father had secured his cubs. Now, the monster was coming out to play.
