Chapter 5
Dominic pulled her onto his lap despite the pain and kissed her.
It was not the frantic hunger of the library.
It was deep, possessive, and painfully tender.
It was a promise.
When they separated, Dominic rested his forehead against hers.
“I need to finish this.”
His voice remained quiet.
“Lawson and Costa believe I am dead.”
He looked toward the room.
“They believe I am still a ghost.”
Dominic reached for the cane.
“I will show them who I am.”
He stood.
Tommy was already using a burner telephone to mobilize the remaining forces.
“Tommy.”
Dominic’s voice filled the warehouse with authority.
“Call Captain Omali in the 12th District.”
He adjusted his grip on the cane.
“Tell him to keep patrol vehicles away from River North tonight.”
Dominic’s face became cold.
“Then call the assault teams.”
He looked toward the door.
“We are going to Gene & Georgetti’s.”
His gaze became final.
“Dress for a funeral.”
Midnight settled over Chicago.
The rain had stopped, leaving the streets reflective beneath neon light.
The Palmer Room, a private soundproof dining space on the 2nd floor of Gene & Georgetti’s, contained cigar smoke and expensive red wine.
Carmine Costa sat at the head of a mahogany table.
He was a heavy man inside a tailored silk suit.
His laughter filled the room.
Detective Richard Lawson sat beside him.
Lawson appeared nervous.
His eyes continued moving while he held a crystal glass of Scotch.
Greed and triumph still shaped his mouth.
A black duffel bag rested on the table.
It contained $300,000 in cash, the forgiveness of Lawson’s debt, and payment for delivering the ghost of the Gold Coast.
“Relax, Ricky.”
Carmine struck his back.
“Russo is ash in Barrington.”
His laughter returned.
“We control the ports and shipping routes.”
Carmine raised his glass.
“The city belongs to us.”
“I want confirmation that the woman died.”
Lawson wiped perspiration from his forehead.
“If she survived, she could testify about what happened inside the lobby.”
His eyes moved toward the door.
“She is unfinished business.”
“My men said the entire house burned.”
Carmine dismissed the concern.
“Stop worrying and drink.”
The private-room doors opened with enough force to strike the walls.
Four Costa bodyguards reached instinctively toward their weapons and then stopped.
Six heavily armed Russo enforcers entered.
Automatic weapons pointed directly toward Carmine’s men.
Silence consumed the room.
Then the rhythmic thud and click of a carbon-fiber cane came from the hallway.
Dominic Russo entered.
A midnight-blue suit fit perfectly across his shoulders.
Silver at his temples reflected the chandelier light.
He did not resemble a weakened man or ghost.
He looked like the devil returning to claim his throne.
Carmine’s cigar fell onto his trousers.
Color disappeared from his face.
“Dominic.”
The name broke apart.
“You are dead.”
“I have been dead for 5 years.”
Dominic moved farther into the room.
His voice remained dark and controlled.
Behind him stood Abigail, flanked by Tommy and another guard.
She wore a fitted black coat.
Auburn hair rested in loose waves around her shoulders.
Her eyes remained fixed on Lawson without fear.
Lawson choked on the Scotch and moved backward so sharply that his chair nearly fell.
“Abby.”
Terror widened his eyes.
“Take their weapons.”
Dominic’s men disarmed the bodyguards and forced them onto their knees.
Dominic approached the table slowly.
He looked at the money before raising his eyes toward Lawson.
“Detective Lawson.”
His tone became smooth.
“You repeatedly place your hands on property that does not belong to you.”
He indicated Abigail.
“First, my physical therapist.”
Dominic’s gaze hardened.
“Then my city.”
Lawson hyperventilated and raised both hands.
“Please.”
His words came quickly.
“Costa forced me.”
Lawson looked toward Abigail.
“I owed money.”
His voice became pleading.
“They threatened to kill me.”
He turned toward her.
“Abby, tell him.”
Abigail moved forward and stood beside Dominic.
She looked down at the man who once controlled her through terror.
“You were not desperate.”
Her voice remained cold.
“You were a coward.”
Abigail’s eyes did not move.
“You always will be.”
Dominic glanced toward Tommy.
“Remove the detective.”
His voice was without emotion.
“Take him to the docks.”
Dominic looked directly at Lawson.
“Ensure he takes a long, deep swim in Lake Michigan.”
“No.”
Lawson fought when 2 Russo men seized him.
“Abby, please.”
His screams moved down the corridor.
Then they stopped.
Dominic turned toward Carmine.
The rival leader shook beneath Tommy’s weapon.
“You brought war into my home.”
Dominic placed both hands on the table.
“You attempted to burn the only good thing to enter my life in half a decade.”
His voice lowered.
“Tonight, the Costa family ceases to exist inside Chicago.”
Carmine’s face became slack.
“Your territory belongs to me.”
Dominic continued.
“Your men answer to me.”
His eyes became lethal.
“If you enter this city again, I will not send an army.”
Dominic straightened.
“I will come personally.”
He did not wait for a response.
Dominic turned his back on the broken man and offered his arm to Abigail.
She placed her hand through it.
Together, they left the restaurant and abandoned the remains of their enemies behind them.
Two months later, the late-September sun cast warm gold over Millennium Park.
Tourists, local residents, and street musicians filled the walkways.
Dominic moved along the promenade with his cane tapping rhythmically against the pavement.
He was outside beneath open sky and surrounded by thousands of unpredictable strangers.
He was not afraid.
Dominic looked toward Abigail.
She laughed at something said by a street vendor.
Life shone inside her storm-gray eyes.
A coffee cup occupied 1 hand.
The other remained firmly interlaced with Dominic’s.
A flawless diamond rested on her left ring finger and reflected the autumn sunlight.
Dominic’s leg still hurt.
The scars across his shoulder remained tight.
He continued commanding a dangerous empire from the shadows of his penthouse.
Looking at his future wife, he knew the cage had disappeared permanently.
Dominic stopped and drew Abigail toward him.
His arm closed around her waist.
He kissed her gently inside the movement and noise of Chicago.
The ghost had returned to the world.
May you like
He had brought his queen with him.
Disclaimer: This story is fictional and created for entertainment purposes only. Any names, characters, places, or events are fictitious or used fictitiously. No real person or organization is intended to be portrayed.
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