Chapter 4
Daniel finally told me why.
The bakery sat at the corner of Laurel and Mercer.
A small block.
Nothing special.
Except behind it ran a service alley connecting two properties Dominic had quietly acquired.
If he controlled the bakery too, he would own the entire corner.
“What for?” I asked.
Daniel looked toward Dominic.
He knew.
Dominic did not want him to say it.
That made me ask again.
“What for?”
Daniel swallowed.
“He wants another club.”
I almost laughed.
“Without asking me.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“It was an expansion plan.”
“Using whose name?”
Silence.
My name.
Of course.
Daniel continued.
Dominic had been telling local businesses Castellano was expanding nightlife operations. Those who cooperated received “protection.” Those who resisted faced inspections, delivery problems, broken equipment, sudden debts.
None of it came from me.
But every threat carried my family name.
That was the unforgivable part.
Not theft.
Identity.
Dominic had been spending my reputation like money.
Maeve sat on a lobby chair swinging her worn sneakers.
She had no idea men twice her size were discussing an extortion structure that nearly destroyed her home.
Then she reached into the bakery bag.
One roll remained.
She held it toward me.
“You hungry?”
I stared at her.
Daniel almost smiled through the tension.
I took it.
“Thank you.”
Dominic scoffed.
That sound changed the room.
I looked at him.
He shrugged.
“She’s doing what her father does. Begging for sympathy.”
Daniel stiffened.
Maeve looked confused.
I walked toward Dominic slowly.
He realized too late he should have stayed quiet.
“You think kindness is begging.”
He looked away.
That was when I understood why the disguised wheelchair worked so perfectly.
Dominic did not simply despise poor people.
He despised anyone whose generosity made his own behavior look small.
Maeve gave away her last coins without expecting anything.
Dominic controlled millions and still needed more.
I looked at Daniel.
“Did Elise ever meet Dominic?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“Did she know him?”
Another shake.
Then Maeve whispered:
“Mommy knew the club.”
Daniel turned.
“What?”
She looked at him.
“Mommy had picture.”
Dominic froze.
A picture.
May you like
Elise had apparently known something neither Daniel nor I knew.
And for the first time, Dominic looked frightened for a reason unrelated to losing the club.
