Chapter 12 - The Inner Circle
The assassination attempt at my apartment changed the entire dynamic within the Rossi estate.
Dominic no longer treated me merely as a hired nurse; he treated me as an essential part of his inner circle.
That evening,
he summoned his top remaining capos—Leo,
Marco,
and a veteran enforcer named Salvatore—to the grand library.
I stood near the mahogany fireplace,
watching as the three hardened mafia commanders studied me with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
"Ms.
Hayes is under my direct protection,
" Dominic announced,
resting his uninjured arm on the conference table.
"Anyone who targets her outside these walls is declaring war on me personally.
"
Salvatore,
a scarred veteran with graying temples,
gave a respectful nod.
"If she's with us,
Boss,
she has our shields,
" he rumbled in a deep bass voice.
"Vince is getting desperate,
" Leo added,
unfolding a city map across the table.
"His attacks are sloppy,
which means he knows his time is running out before your shoulder fully heals.
"
"He's right,
" I spoke up,
stepping forward into the light of the chandelier.
"Vince attacked me because he knows Dominic is recovering faster than expected.
"
"He wants leverage,
or he wants to demoralize you.
"
Dominic looked at me with a spark of intense pride in his dark eyes.
"She thinks like a tactician,
" he noted approvingly.
"What do you suggest we do next,
Nora?"
"We use his impatience against him,
" I replied,
tracing a finger along the map toward the downtown harbor.
"Vince expects you to hide in this mountain fortress until you're at 100 percent.
"
"What if we let him think you're still bedridden while Salvatore's men flank his warehouses from behind?"
Silence fell over the room as the capos absorbed the brilliance of the strategy.
Salvatore let out a low whistle of admiration.
"Clever,
" he grinned.
"Very clever.
"
Dominic smiled,
a genuine,
warm expression that completely transformed his dangerous face.
"You see,
gentlemen?" Dominic said softly.
May you like
"My nurse is sharper than half my syndicate.
"
