Chapter 7 - The Gathering Storm
Within an hour, Luca had moved Emily to the Moretti compound in Alpine, New Jersey. The fortress was surrounded by ten-foot stone walls, razor wire, motion sensors, and fifty hardened soldiers loyal only to Luca.
Emily sat on a massive velvet couch in the library, a thick cashmere blanket wrapped around her shoulders. A private obstetrician, sworn to absolute secrecy under penalty of death, completed a portable ultrasound.
"The baby is healthy, Don Moretti," the doctor reported quietly, showing Luca the monitor. "A strong heartbeat. Miss Emily is fifteen weeks along. She needs rest, proper nutrition, and zero stress."
Luca stared at the pulsing gray smudge on the screen. A rhythmic, fluttering beat echoed through the quiet room: *thump-thump, thump-thump.*
A grandchild.
A lump rose in Luca's throat. In the middle of an impending gang war, life was asserting itself. He bowed his head slightly toward the doctor. "Thank you, Arthur. Santino will escort you out and ensure your family's safety."
Once the doctor left, Luca sat beside Emily. She reached out, taking his hand, guiding it to her lower belly. Luca held his breath as he felt the slight, solid firmness beneath the wool.
"I’m sorry, Dad," Emily whispered. "I brought a war to your doorstep."
"No," Luca said firmly, looking her in the eyes. "The war was already inside my house, disguised as a bride. You didn't bring destruction, Emily. You brought the truth. You saved my life. Now it's my turn to save yours—and Julian’s."
The library doors swung open. Santino entered, looking grim.
"Boss, we tracked the phone signals from Vanessa’s driver before we smashed them. Salvatore Bellini just left his manor in Jersey. He’s heading toward the Queens industrial docks. And our informants inside the Falcone family confirm Dominic Falcone took delivery of an 'unconscious package' at Pier 19 three days ago."
"Dominic has Julian there," Emily gasped, sitting bolt upright. "They’re going to kill him!"
"They won't," Luca said, rising with lethal purpose. "Dominic wants to use Julian as leverage. He knows Julian's father, old man Falcone, is on his deathbed. Dominic wants to eliminate any rival claim to the boss's seat, but he needs Julian to sign over foreign assets first."
Luca strapped on a leather shoulder rig holding twin matching Berettas. He slipped on a long black wool coat.
"Santino, prep the strike team. Heavy tactical gear, EMP jammers, and unmarked vans. We hit Pier 19 in forty minutes."
"Dad, wait!" Emily cried, struggling to stand. "Take me with you!"
Luca turned, his expression stern yet overflowing with paternal devotion. "Never. You stay here behind reinforced steel, Emily."
"If Dominic sees you, he'll kill Julian before you can reach him!" Emily pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Julian has a code word with me. Something only we know! If he hears shooting, he might give up, thinking I'm already dead! You need me in the command vehicle, Dad. Please!"
Luca looked at her desperate eyes. He saw Elena’s fierce bravery burning inside her. She wasn't just a frightened girl anymore; she was a mother fighting for her child’s father.
May you like
Luca nodded slowly. "You stay inside the armored command van. With three guards and a bulletproof vest. If a single shot comes near that truck, they drive you straight to the airfield. Do you swear?"
"I swear."
