Chapter 5 - The Master Suite Siege
Moving to the master suite on the second floor felt less like an upgrade and more like a high-security relocation into the inner sanctum of a medieval keep.
By dawn, Julian Reyes—Dominic’s taciturn head of internal security—had personally overseen the transfer of Norah’s meager duffel bag, placing it beside a walk-in closet filled with designer silk robes, cashmere loungewear, and maternity dresses that looked like they cost more than Norah had earned in three years at Sal’s Diner.
Norah sat on the edge of the king-sized bed, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the gray morning mist rolling across the North Shore.
She wasn't locked in chains, but the cage had just become infinitely more inescapable. Two armed guards stood stationed outside the double oak doors of the suite twenty-four hours a day. Her phone had been permanently replaced with an encrypted device that lacked an outgoing browser, programmed only to dial Dominic, Julian, or the internal estate intercom.
The door clicked open.
Dominic entered, carrying a silver tray with a bowl of oatmeal, sliced fruit, and a glass of fresh orange juice. He looked like he hadn't slept a wink; dark bruises shadowed his eyes, and his hair was slightly disheveled.
He placed the tray on the bedside table without a word and sat down in the velvet armchair opposite the bed.
"Eat," Dominic ordered quietly.
Norah crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him with defiant exhaustion. "I'm not hungry."
"Norah," Dominic said, his voice dropping into that low, dangerous register that commanded obedience. "You are eating for two people now. And one of those people happens to be carrying my future. Do not test me on this."
"You can't force-feed me, Dominic," she snapped, though her stomach rumbled traitorously at the smell of the warm oats. "You can lock me in this room, you can surround the estate with armed thugs, and you can buy me a thousand silk dresses, but you cannot control every single thing I do."
Dominic leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, locking his slate-gray eyes onto hers.
"Watch me," he replied flatly.
He didn't yell. He didn't slam doors. The terrifying part of Dominic Russo was his absolute, unshakeable control.
"Dr. Vance is arriving at ten o'clock," Dominic continued, changing the subject with chilling composure. "He will perform a comprehensive prenatal evaluation right here in the suite. If you need anything—vitamins, specialized care, a private obstetrician from Zurich—you only have to name it, and it will be in this house by afternoon."
"I don't want your syndicate doctor," Norah hissed. "I want Dr. Aris. I want my normal life back."
"Your normal life ended the moment you stepped foot in Sal’s Diner and decided to work in my neighborhood," Dominic said coldly. "And it was buried permanently the night you conceived my child. You are safe here, Norah. Safer than you have ever been in your entire life. But you will accept the protection I provide."
Before Norah could formulate a blistering retort, a sharp rap sounded at the double doors.
Without waiting for an invitation, Julian pushed the door open, stepping into the room with a grim, urgent look on his face that instantly cleared the air of domestic tension.
"Boss," Julian said, his eyes flicking briefly toward Norah before locking onto Dominic. "We have a situation at the southern perimeter."
Dominic stood up instantly, all traces of weariness vanishing from his posture, replaced by the lethal focus of a general on a battlefield. "What kind of situation?"
"A scout team from the Moretti family," Julian reported crisply. "They didn't breach, but they were spotted dropping a burner phone near the security gate. It’s ringing."
Dominic’s jaw tightened until the skin turned white.
"Salvatore Moretti," Dominic whispered, a dark, murderous shadow crossing his face. "He thinks because we’ve been quiet this month, he can test our fences."
Norah’s breath caught in her throat. The mention of the Morettis—the same family that had sent the hit squad to Sal’s Diner six months ago—sent a fresh spike of terror through her veins.
Dominic turned toward the door, then stopped. He looked back at Norah, who was gripping the edge of the comforter so tightly her knuckles turned white.
He walked back to the bed, leaned down, and placed his large, warm hand directly over hers, prying her fingers open with surprising gentleness.
May you like
"Stay in this room," Dominic commanded, his voice softening just enough for only her to hear. "Julian will secure the perimeter. Nothing gets past these walls. Do you understand me?"
He didn't wait for her answer. He turned and strode out of the suite, the heavy oak doors slamming shut behind him with a finality that echoed through the entire estate.
