Chapter 6 - THE ENEMY AT THE DOCKS
While Dante systematically dismantled the internal conspiracy surrounding the falsified prenuptial distribution, the external pressures from the North Side factions began to mount. The Caruso family controlled the vital shipping docks, and reports of union strikes, damaged cargo containers, and mysterious fires at our warehouses started flooding Romano’s desk. Dante was forced to spend long hours away from the penthouse, meeting with capos, union reps, and loyal dock foremen to secure our supply lines. Though he left a dedicated security detail outside my door, the isolation of the penthouse began to weigh heavily on my mind. I was safe, yes, but I was once again trapped behind glass walls while the man I was slowly learning to trust fought a shadow war on the waterfront.
One afternoon, while watching the news broadcast detailing a massive warehouse explosion near Pier 42—an explosion directly tied to the Moretti syndicate—my phone buzzed against the marble table. It was an unknown number, displaying a restricted caller ID. Hesitantly, I swiped to answer. A distorted, electronically altered voice whispered through the speaker: "Tell your beloved Don that the docks are just the beginning, Mrs. Caruso. If he thinks he can reclaim his throne while keeping you wrapped in silk, he underestimates how easily silk burns." Before I could demand answers, the line went dead. My heart hammered against my ribs. They hadn't just targeted Dante’s business; they had sent a direct message to me, proving that no matter how many guards stood outside our door, the syndicate’s reach could still pierce the heart of our sanctuary.
