Chapter 20
The moral abyss opened wide before Domenico. He despised Valentina, and he had no blood tie to the eight-year-old Ethan, but the boy was an innocent child caught in a web of adult cruelty. To hand over Ruby was impossible, unthinkable. But to let a child die to protect his own empire gnawed at the hidden, fiercely guarded humanity buried beneath his ruthless exterior. He walked up to the nursery, pushing the door open gently. Ruby was awake, sitting on the floor, quietly playing with her blocks. She looked up, her bright blue eyes lighting up at the sight of him. "Daddy!" she cheered, holding out her arms. Domenico knelt, scooping her up and burying his face in her soft hair. He held her tightly, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and innocence. He made his decision in that moment. He would not sacrifice Ethan, and he would certainly never surrender Ruby. He would walk into the trap, and he would burn it from the inside out. He kissed his daughter's forehead and set her down. "Daddy has to go to work, little bird," he whispered softly. "I will be back before you wake up." He stood, his demeanor transforming instantly from a loving father to the apex predator of the underworld. He walked out of the room, ready to embrace the darkness.
