Chapter 4 - The Shadow over the Port
By the third week, my physical strength had returned. The lacerations across my back had healed into faint silver lines, and my color was radiant and healthy. Grace and Lily were thriving, gaining weight and cooing softly in their silk bassinets.
One evening, while I was folding clean baby clothes in the living room, Dante entered the library where Elias was reviewing shipping manifests.
"Commander," Dante said, placing a satellite intercept on the desk. "Gregory Thorne and Marco Marcone have mobilized forty armed enforcers at Pier 54 in Brooklyn. They’re loading a container vessel with illegal narcotics and forged identity papers, preparing to leave for the Caribbean at midnight."
Elias stood up, adjusting his white dress shirt and buttoning his naval jacket.
"Has Thorne made contact with his broker?"
"Yes, Boss," Dante confirmed. "He told Marcone that once the ship clears international waters, he will return with a mercenary team to breach the municipal hospitals, assuming Ava and the twins were booked under state protective custody."
"He has no idea she's here," Elias smiled—a chilling, lethal grin.
I stepped out from the hallway, looking at Elias with genuine concern. "Elias... Gregory is reckless. The Marcone family has corrupt precinct captains on their payroll. Please be careful."
Elias walked over to where I was standing. He reached out, his warm, calloused fingers gently tucking a loose lock of hair behind my ear. The gentleness of his touch sent a shiver of warmth through my veins.
"The Marcone family thinks New York belongs to them because they buy street cops, Ava," Elias murmured softly. "Tonight, I will remind them who rules the water."
May you like
He leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against my forehead.
"Lock the blast doors behind me, Ava. When I return, your past will be permanently erased."
