Chapter 5 - The Bloodline Restored and the Hunt for Julian
The morning sun broke over the Manhattan skyline, casting a golden glow across the polished marble floors of the Caruso penthouse.
Marcus Vance was gone, locked away in a high-security detention facility awaiting federal indictment on charges of treason, embezzlement, and attempted murder.
The corrupt members of the corporate board had resigned en masse by midnight, terrified of facing the absolute wrath of the billionaire they had underestimated.
Dominic Caruso stood by the floor-to-ceiling window once again, but this time, the heavy storm clouds had cleared away entirely.
In his arms, baby Lily gurgled happily, her tiny fingers once again tangled firmly in his expensive silk tie.
She let out a high-pitched giggle, reaching up to pat his clean-shaven cheek with her soft, open palm.
Dominic couldn't help the small, genuine smile that broke across his traditionally stern face, a rare sight that would have shocked his business associates.
Hannah stood nearby, holding a fresh cup of black coffee on a silver tray, watching the two of them with a deep sense of lingering relief.
"The private search teams are already scouring the abandoned warehouse district in Newark where Julian's burner phone last pinged," Hannah said quietly.
"Thomas assures me that if he's anywhere in that sector, they'll find him before nightfall."
Dominic nodded slowly, shifting Lily slightly to a more comfortable position against his broad shoulder.
"Marcus kept him alive," Dominic stated with absolute conviction, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared out toward the horizon.
"A dead brother is useless to a psychopath who wants to control an entire corporate empire through blackmail."
"Marcus needed Julian locked away somewhere dark and inescapable until he could force him to sign over his remaining voting shares."
"That means Julian is still breathing out there, Hannah."
"And we are going to bring him home where he belongs."
Before Hannah could answer, the secure intercom on the mahogany wall buzzed sharply with an incoming priority call from the security bunker downstairs.
Dominic pressed the speaker button with his free hand, keeping his gaze locked on the baby in his arms.
"Report," Dominic commanded.
"Boss, this is Thomas," the security chief's voice crackled through the speaker, sounding breathless and urgent.
"We just broke into the sub-basement of the Newark warehouse property registered to Marcus's front company."
Dominic's grip tightened slightly around the edge of the desk.
"Did you find him?"
"We found a makeshift holding cell," Thomas reported, a heavy pause hanging in the air between them.
"And we found fresh blood, a broken set of handcuffs, and... another Saint Christopher medal identical to the one the baby is wearing."
Dominic's heart slammed against his ribs like a sledgehammer.
"Is he alive?"
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"He escaped just hours before we breached the door, boss," Thomas replied grimly.
"And based on the trail he left behind, he's heading straight back to Manhattan."
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