Chapter 4 - The Safe House
An hour later, the gala guests had been quietly evacuated through the rear service gates under strict instructions from Dominic’s legal team that anyone speaking to federal authorities about a bomb would find themselves buried in an unmapped quarry before sunrise.
Emily Price and little Lucy were sitting in the private family kitchen in the East Wing. A steaming cup of hot chocolate sat untouched in front of Lucy, who was busy coloring in a picture book Miller had handed her to calm her nerves.
Dominic pushed open the kitchen door and walked in.
Emily stood up immediately, trembling. “Mr. Caruso... I’m so sorry about all of this. If you want us to leave—if I’m a liability—we can pack our bags tonight—”
“Sit down, Emily,” Dominic interrupted, his voice surprisingly gentle compared to the cold fury he had shown Sal.
Emily slowly sank back into her chair.
Dominic pulled out a chair opposite them and sat down. He looked at Lucy, who looked up from her crayons with wide, innocent brown eyes.
“You saved a lot of lives today, young lady,” Dominic said softly, sliding a small velvet box across the table.
Lucy tilted her head. “What’s that?”
“Open it,” Dominic smiled faintly.
Lucy popped the lid open. Inside rested a delicate, diamond-studded silver locket shaped like a butterfly.
“For keeping your eyes open when everyone else was looking at the cake,” Dominic said. Then, he looked up at Emily. “You’ve worked in this house for two years, Emily. You’re quiet, hardworking, and discreet. But being a single mother in my world is dangerous. Starting tonight, you and Lucy are moving into the estate’s secure guest lodge behind the main gates. No exceptions.”
Emily stared at him, tears welling in her eyes. “Mr. Caruso... I don't know what to say. Thank you.”
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“Don't thank me yet,” Dominic said, standing up, his expression hardening back into stone. “Because tonight, we’re going to pay a visit to Vanguard.”
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