Chapter 4 - THE MORETTI SHADOW
That evening, Carmine called me into his primary office on the third floor.
The room smelled expensive, filled with dark oak furniture, leather-bound books, and rich tobacco smoke.
He sat behind a massive mahogany desk, reviewing a stack of financial ledgers.
"Sit down, Ivy," he commanded without looking up from his work.
I sat in the leather armchair opposite him, smoothing down the dark green dress he had provided for me.
"The man who owned Rocco's loyalty before he joined my crew was Don Salvatore Moretti," Carmine said, setting his pen down.
"The rival syndicate in Idaho?" I asked, having heard rumors about the brutal Moretti family on the news.
"Yes," Carmine confirmed, his dark eyes meeting mine. "Rocco wasn't just a drunk brute; he was a plant sent to spy on me."
My blood ran cold as I realized the depth of the trap I had accidentally stumbled into.
"When I eliminated Rocco for attacking you, I inadvertently triggered a conflict with Moretti," Carmine explained softly.
"So I put you in danger..." I whispered, guilt knotting tightly in my stomach.
Carmine stood up, walked around the desk, and leaned against the front edge, mere inches from where I sat.
"You didn't put anyone in danger," he said firmly. "Rocco made his choice, and Moretti will make his."
"And what will you do?" I asked, looking up into his fierce, unyielding gaze.
May you like
"I will burn his entire empire to the ground if he tries to touch you again," Carmine stated without a hint of hesitation.
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