Chapter 5 - The Morning After
The news of the fall of the Rossi family swept through the Italian underworld like a tidal wave before sunrise. By eight o'clock in the morning, three major syndicate bosses in Milan had sent formal letters of submission to the Duca estate, relinquishing all claims to the northern shipping routes and pledging unconditional loyalty to Lorenzo.
The war was over before the public even knew it had begun.
At nine o'clock, Lorenzo’s black Suburban pulled up the long driveway of his estate.
He walked into the main hall, exhausted, his coat smelling faintly of gunpowder and wet asphalt. He pulled off his gloves, tossing them onto the hall table, preparing to go to his study to sleep for a few hours.
"Don Lorenzo?"
He stopped, turning toward the grand staircase.
Renata was standing near the landing. She wore a simple, elegant ivory sweater and dark wool trousers that Teresa had bought for her. Her hair was bound back in a neat braid, and her skin looked vibrant, healthy, and full of life.
Beside her, sitting on the top step, was Mia.
The little girl was wearing small yellow pajamas printed with tiny ducks, holding her one-eyed rabbit. When she saw Lorenzo, her face lit up like the morning sun.
"Coffee man!" Mia squeaked, sliding down the stairs one step at a time on her bottom until she reached the hall floor, running over and throwing her arms around his leg.
Lorenzo froze for a second, then a soft, rare laugh escaped his throat. He reached down, picking the little girl up in his arms, ignoring the dirt on his coat as she patted his cheek with her small hand.
"You smell like rain today," Mia noted, her nose wrinkling slightly.
"It was raining in Genoa, little one," Lorenzo said softly, looking over her shoulder at Renata, who had walked down the stairs to stand beside them.
"Is it... is it over?" Renata asked, her voice trembling slightly with anxiety. "We heard news on the television this morning about a fire in the port district."
"It is over," Lorenzo promised, his gray eyes locking onto hers with a fierce, absolute certainty. "The Rossi family no longer exists. No one will ever threaten you again, Renata. You are safe. Forever."
Renata let out a long, shuddering breath, her hand flying to her mouth as tears of relief flooded her eyes. Without thinking, overcome by emotion, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lorenzo’s waist, burying her face against his chest.
May you like
Lorenzo stood still for a second, surprised by the sudden warmth of her embrace. Slowly, carefully, he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, holding her tight against his side.
Standing nearby, Pino sat down on the marble floor, let out a long, contented sigh, and rested his snout on his paws, watching his family finally at peace.
