Chapter 19 - Victory and Bloodshed
The morning sun broke through the dissipating smoke over the ruined courtyard.
Vince was forced onto his knees on the damp cobblestones,
bleeding from a superficial wound above his eyebrow.
Dominic stood over him like an avenging angel,
his posture radiating absolute,
undisputed dominance.
"You thought a sniper and a poisoned tray could tear down what I built,
" Dominic said quietly,
his voice carrying effortlessly across the silent courtyard.
"You underestimated my family,
Vince,
and you underestimated the people who stand by my side.
"
"You're.
.
.
you're dead,
Rossi,
" Vince spat,
blood dripping from his lip.
"Everyone knew you were bleeding out.
"
"I bleed,
yes,
" Dominic replied,
touching his bandaged shoulder.
"But I don't break.
"
With a subtle nod to Salvatore,
Vince was disarmed,
stripped of his syndicate rings,
and escorted away toward permanent exile in South America.
The war for the Rossi empire was over before noon.
As the guards began cleaning up the courtyard,
Dominic walked slowly back toward the master suite.
I followed closely behind him,
carrying my medical kit,
my heart still racing from the adrenaline crash.
Once inside his bedroom,
Dominic sank heavily into the leather armchair by the window,
letting out a long,
exhausted sigh.
I immediately went to work,
checking his shoulder bandages to ensure the excitement hadn't torn the stitches.
Fortunately,
the wound was holding firm.
"You're an adrenaline junkie,
Mr.
Rossi,
" I teased softly,
applying fresh antibiotic cream.
"And you are the most dangerous nurse in the entire syndicate,
Dr.
Hayes,
May you like
" he smiled,
catching my hand and pressing a warm kiss against my knuckles.
