Chapter 6 - Playing the Fool
The news of Roman Blackwell’s impending "retirement" spread through the Chicago underworld like wildfire. Rumors circulated rapidly: the legendary Mafia boss was broken, his daughter was gravely ill, his young wife was handling his affairs, and he was ready to surrender his shipping empire to Victor Vance to save what was left of his family.
Victor Vance sat in his penthouse suite, sipping scotch, laughing loudly as he read the formal invitation to the Friday night banquet.
"The mighty Roman Blackwell, surrendering without a fight," Vance sneered to his second-in-command. "I knew the soft-hearted fool would crack once his kid got sick. Vanessa did her job well."
Meanwhile, at the Lake Forest estate, Vanessa was handed her tailored evening gown by Roman's guards. Marcus himself came to deliver the message.
"Mr. Blackwell requests your presence at the Grand Regent tonight, Mrs. Blackwell," Marcus said impassively. "He is announcing the transfer of assets to Mr. Vance. He wishes for you to stand beside him as his wife."
Vanessa smiled triumphantly in front of the vanity mirror, adjusting her diamond necklace. She believed her victory was complete. Roman was broken, Lily was presumably rotting in some private clinic, and Vance was about to take over, making her the undisputed queen of the city's new regime.
"Tell my husband I will be radiant," Vanessa said coldly. "He deserves a proper farewell."
At the Haven, final preparations were being made.
Roman stood in his dressing room, buttoning a sleek black tuxedo. He looked formidable, cold, and entirely focused.
A knock sounded, and Claire walked in. She wore a simple, elegant dark blue dress that Roman had delivered to her room earlier that afternoon. The dress accentuated her slender frame, her warm brown eyes, and her graceful posture.
Roman turned and stopped. For a moment, the dangerous mob boss vanished, leaving only a man captivited by a woman's beauty.
"You look... extraordinary," Roman said softly.
Claire smiled shyly, walking over to him. She reached up and adjusted the dark bow tie around his collar. Her fingers brushed his neck, sending a warm jolt through his spine.
"Lily is with the extra security team in the panic room downstairs," Claire said. "She's safe. But I'm going with you tonight."
Roman frowned slightly. "Claire, it could get dangerous. Vance is unpredictable."
"You need me there," Claire said firmly, looking straight into his eyes. "I am the witness. I saw what Vanessa did. I carried Lily out of that room. If you are going to finish this, let me stand beside you."
May you like
Roman looked at her—this woman who had stepped out of nowhere, armed with nothing but courage and love for his child, and changed his entire world. He took her hands in his, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.
"Then you stand with me," Roman said. "Tonight, we take back everything."
