THE WAITRESS STOOD BETWEEN THE MAFIA KING’S SILENT DAUGHTER AND A BULLY—THEN HE STOOD BEFORE THE WHOLE CITY AND CALLED HER FAMILY

Cassidy looked Don Rossi directly in the eye, her posture perfect, her expression entirely unbothered.

“I may have been a servant, Mr. Rossi,” Cassidy said, her voice clear and carrying perfectly over the quiet hum of the ballroom, “but I earned my living honestly. Unlike a man who has to extort small businesses and sell out his own niece to maintain a crumbling empire.”

A collective gasp echoed from the surrounding socialites. No one spoke to a Don like that. Not even other Dons.

Rossi’s face turned a violent shade of purple. He took a step forward, his fists clenched. “You insolent little—”

Dominic stepped smoothly between them, his presence an impenetrable wall of lethal authority.

“Watch your tone, Emilio,” Dominic warned, his voice a low, terrifying rumble that promised immediate violence. “You wanted a public meeting to sue for peace. But let me make this very clear to you, and to everyone in this room.”

Dominic turned, raising his voice so the entire ballroom, including the press, could hear.

“Cassidy Tate is not a vulnerability. She is not a passing phase. She is the future of the Valenti family.” Dominic reached out and took Cassidy’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “She is under my absolute, permanent protection. If any man, woman, or syndicate disrespects her, they declare war on me.”

The room was dead silent. Flashbulbs went off rapidly, capturing the historic moment. The ruthless, untouchable mafia king was officially claiming a nobody as his queen.

Dominic turned back to Rossi, leaning in close so only the old boss could hear.

“The war is over, Emilio. You lost. Now take your men and leave this city before I decide to take your life instead of just your money.”

Rossi swallowed hard, the reality of his defeat settling in. He looked at the cameras, then at Dominic’s icy glare. Without a word, the old Don turned and walked out of the gala, his empire effectively broken.

Dominic looked down at Cassidy, his gray eyes shining with pride.