Chapter 4 – THE GOLD POCKET WATCH

The silence in the office was suffocating.

Dominic stared at the gold pocket watch on the desk. The watch his father had supposedly been wearing when he died in a tragic “accident” two decades ago.

“Lydia arranged my father’s death?” Dominic’s voice was barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of an earthquake.

“She provided the route,” Alexei Romanov said smoothly, leaning back in his leather chair. “She wanted control of the family trust. But your father left everything to you. So, she played the long game. She manipulated Rose’s life, and she manipulated yours.”

Alexei pointed at the heavy oak door behind his desk.

“The child is in there. A beautiful little girl. Gray eyes. Just like yours.”

Dominic’s hand trembled, the gun still aimed at Alexei’s chest.

“If you knew Lydia betrayed my family, why are you telling me now?” Dominic demanded.

“Because Lydia’s time is over,” Alexei said simply. “I prefer doing business with a man who understands leverage. Take your daughter, Dominic. The Romanov family wishes you well.”

Dominic lowered his gun. He nodded to his men, who quickly secured the room.

He walked past Alexei, toward the heavy oak door.

He reached for the brass handle, his chest heaving.

I stood beside Maya, holding her tight, watching a ruthless mafia boss tremble at the thought of meeting his child.

Dominic opened the door.

Inside was a small, dimly lit nursery.

Sitting in a crib, clutching a stuffed bear, was a three-year-old girl.

She had dark, curly hair and striking gray eyes. Dominic’s eyes.

When she saw the giant man in the doorway, she clutched the bear tighter, her lower lip trembling.

Dominic dropped to his knees in front of the crib. He didn’t speak. He just reached out, his large hand gently touching the wooden railing.

Tears spilled freely down his cheeks.

“Hi,” he whispered, his voice cracking.

The little girl stared at him. Then, she looked at the silver locket dangling from Dominic’s fingers.

She reached out with a tiny hand and touched it.

“Mama has one,” she said in a tiny, sweet voice.

Dominic let out a broken sob. He reached into the crib and carefully lifted her into his arms.

He buried his face in her hair, holding her against his chest as if the world might try to steal her away again.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered. “Daddy’s got you.”

I wiped my own tears away, squeezing Maya’s hand.

But our moment of peace was shattered by a frantic shout from the hallway.

“Boss! We have a problem!”

One of Dominic’s men burst into the nursery.

“What is it?” Dominic asked, holding Sofia protectively.

“It’s Daniel, sir. He just called from the safe house.”

“Are Rose and Margaret safe?”

The guard swallowed hard.

“No, sir. Lydia’s men found them. They took Margaret.”

My blood ran cold.

“Lydia is in my wine cellar,” Dominic growled.

“No, sir,” the guard corrected. “Lydia paid off the inside guards. She escaped ten minutes ago. And she left a message.”

The guard held up his radio.

Dominic snatched it. “Speak.”

Lydia’s sharp, venomous voice crackled over the frequency.

“Did you really think I’d leave without my insurance policy, Dominic?” she hissed. “I have Margaret. And unless you want Rose to bury her mother on her wedding day, you will bring the child to the old Willow Creek bridge in twenty minutes. Come alone.”

Dominic’s eyes turned lethal.

He looked at me. “Nora. Take Maya and Elena back to the estate. Lock yourselves in my private wing.”

“No,” I said, stepping forward.

Dominic blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Lydia fired me,” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “Margaret tried to protect me. She treated me like a human being. I’m going with you.”

Dominic stared at me for a long second.

Then, he handed Sofia to Elena, who had just rushed into the room, weeping as she held her daughter for the first time in years.

Dominic pulled a second gun from his waistband and handed it to his lead guard.

“Keep my family safe,” Dominic ordered.

Then he looked at me. “Let’s go get Margaret.”

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