Chapter 10
“A father who trades his daughter’s happiness for peace has no right to call it protection.”
Anthony interrupted.
“This is ridiculous.”
Vincent ignored him.
“The Caruso alliance stands with Dominic.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Anthony stared at him.
“You can’t do that.”
Vincent finally looked at him.
“You drugged my daughter.”
“I didn’t—”
“And apparently you believe I need your permission.”
Anthony turned toward the council.
“This is exactly what I warned you about. Dominic has everyone manipulated.”
One elderly councilman, George Bellini, removed his glasses.
“Anthony.”
“What?”
“You called this meeting claiming your uncle stole your fiancée.”
“He did.”
Bellini glanced at Sophia.
“She appears capable of movement.”
A few men smiled.
Anthony’s voice rose.
“You know what I mean.”
“I know precisely what you mean.”
Bellini folded his glasses.
“You believed she belonged to you.”
Anthony said nothing.
“That appears to be the source of your confusion.”
Dominic finally spoke.
“This council has one question to answer.”
The room quieted.
“Anthony claims I am unfit to lead.”
He stood.
“Fine.”
His gaze moved around the table.
“Vote.”
Michael Vaughn looked alarmed.
“Dominic—”
“Vote.”
Anthony stared.
“You’re serious?”
“Completely.”
“You’d risk everything?”
Dominic looked at Sophia.
“No.”
Then back at Anthony.
“I’m proving a point.”
Ballots were distributed.
Sophia expected drama.
Arguments.
Threats.
Instead, the entire process lasted four minutes.
Michael counted.
He looked at Dominic.
“Fourteen to one.”
Anthony’s face went blank.
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
“One?”
Bellini shrugged.
“Anthony voted.”
Someone laughed.
Anthony looked around the table.
No one met his eyes.
His humiliation was complete.
Dominic did not enjoy it for long.
Because Sophia suddenly gripped the table.
“Nico.”
He turned immediately.
She had gone pale.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m dizzy.”
Mercer had warned them withdrawal symptoms could fluctuate even with medical management.
Dominic was beside her instantly.
Anthony laughed bitterly.
“Look at you.”
Dominic ignored him.
Anthony’s voice sharpened.
“The great Dominic Raineri brought to his knees because a woman feels faint.”
Dominic froze.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
He slowly looked over his shoulder.
Anthony smiled.
“You’ve become weak.”
Dominic could have answered in a hundred ways.
Men in that room had seen him end careers with sentences.
Some had seen worse.
Instead, Dominic looked down at Sophia.
Then at the nephew he had spent years protecting from his own consequences.
“You still don’t understand what strength is.”
Anthony’s smile disappeared.