Chapter 10 - Shadows in the Rose Garden
By mid-May, the estate was in full bloom. Crimson roses, white hydrangeas, and fragrant lavender lined the stone pathways that meandered around the private lake.
However, the transition from a shadowy criminal enterprise to a transparent global foundation was never going to be entirely seamless.
A high-profile benefit gala was scheduled for the weekend at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan—the first time Lucas and Emma would appear together in public since the dramatic collapse of Marchetti Tower and the subsequent federal indictments of Victor's inner circle.
In the late afternoon, a dark sedan pulled up the long gravel driveway.
Julian Rossi, the head of the Rossi syndicate—one of the last surviving old-world crime families in the tri-state area—stepped out onto the stone patio. He was an older man with silver hair, wearing a dark, impeccably tailored suit, surrounded by two heavy-set bodyguards.
Lucas met them on the terrace. He didn't offer a handshake, nor did he invite them inside. He stood at the top of the stone steps, his arms folded over his chest, his posture imposing and cold.
"Julian," Lucas said neutrally. "You're trespassing."
Julian Rossi leaned on his polished wooden cane, looking around the peaceful gardens with an amused, cynical expression. "A bit dramatic, don't you think, Lucas? I came to pay my respects to your lovely wife. Word on the street was she made a full recovery. A miracle, truly."
"State your business, Rossi," Lucas replied, his voice dropping an octave, carrying the deadly authority that had once terrified boardrooms and back alleys alike. "You have thirty seconds before my security team detains your men for illegal entry."
Julian’s smile faded slightly. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "The streets are chaotic, Lucas. With the Marchetti family withdrawing from the docks and the construction unions, there's a vacuum. Smaller factions are warring over Brooklyn. The Rossi family wants your official guarantee that you won't interfere when we take over the shipping routes."
Before Lucas could answer, the glass French doors opened smoothly.
Emma walked out onto the terrace. She didn't cower or step behind Lucas. She wore an elegant emerald green dress, carrying a slender leather portfolio under her arm. Her posture was poised, her blue-gray eyes sharp and unwavering as she looked down at the old crime boss.
"Mr. Rossi," Emma said, her voice smooth and completely unbothered. "You seem to be confused about how vacuum authority works now."
Julian looked at her, surprised by her sudden presence and absolute lack of fear. "Mrs. Marchetti. This is business between men who—"
"This is business regarding the Marchetti Maritime Trust," Emma interrupted smoothly, opening her portfolio. "Which happens to own sixty percent of the commercial docks in Red Hook. Yesterday morning, the board of directors voted to lease those docks exclusively to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for a public clean-energy development project."
Julian’s jaw tightened. "You leased the docks to the state?"
"The state police and the U.S. Coast Guard have already established a permanent maritime precinct on Pier 42," Emma continued, stepping right beside Lucas and looking Rossi dead in the eye. "If your men attempt to move contraband through those shipping routes, you won't be dealing with the Marchetti family. You'll be dealing with federal marshals."
Julian stared at Emma in disbelief, then looked at Lucas. Lucas merely raised an eyebrow, a faint, proud smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"You let a civilian run your empire?" Rossi spat, his voice laced with venom.
"I let a brilliant woman build our future," Lucas corrected coldly. "Now take your men and get off my land, Julian. Before I decide to review the Rossi family's tax returns."
Without another word, Julian Rossi turned on his heel, his cane clicking angrily against the stone patio as he and his bodyguards retreated to their sedan.
As the car sped down the driveway, Lucas turned to Emma, wrapping his hand around hers and bringing her knuckles to his lips.
May you like
"You know," Lucas murmured, his gray eyes shining with fierce admiration, "you're far more ruthless than my uncle ever was."
"I'm not ruthless, Lucas," Emma laughed softly, resting her head against his chest as the mountain breeze rustled the rose bushes around them. "I'm just an accountant who knows how to protect what's mine."
