THE CHILD’S DRAWING IN THE GREENHOUSE

Claire sprinted across the snow-dusted lawn toward the garden gate.

Dominic was right behind her, his hand resting on the weapon holstered beneath his jacket.

When they reached the garden, Samuel was already there, kneeling in the grass. His face was pale with fury.

He held up a heavy leather collar. Bruno’s collar.

“The gate lock was picked,” Samuel said, his voice trembling with anger. “Professional job. No alarms triggered. They walked right in and took him.”

“Captain wouldn't just go with a stranger,” Claire said, tears filling her eyes. “He would have barked. He would have fought.”

“Unless they drugged him,” Dominic said coldly.

He looked around the perimeter. The audacity of the strike was terrifying. Leo had bypassed a multi-million-dollar security system just to steal a dog.

It was a demonstration of absolute power.

“Why the dog, Dominic?” Samuel asked, standing up. “If this Leo wants the throne, why not take a shot at you?”

“Because he knows the dog is the emotional core of this house now,” Dominic said, looking at Claire. “He’s trying to break us before he makes his move.”

Dominic’s phone vibrated.

He pulled it out. A text message from an unknown number.

A smart dog knows when to switch masters. Come alone. The old wine cellar under St. Jude’s Cathedral. One hour. Or I put him down.

Dominic crushed the phone in his grip.

“He wants me at St. Jude’s,” Dominic said.

“It’s a trap,” Samuel warned immediately. “I’m taking a strike team.”

“He said come alone,” Dominic replied. “If he sees your men, he’ll kill Bruno.”

“I’m going with you,” Claire said fiercely.

Dominic looked at her. “Claire, absolutely not. It’s too dangerous.”

“He’s my dog, Dominic!” Claire shouted, her voice echoing in the quiet garden. “He’s the only piece of my childhood I have left. I am not letting your psychotic brother kill him!”

Dominic stared into her fierce, tear-filled eyes. He knew he couldn't stop her.

“Fine,” Dominic said. “But you stay behind me.”

Fifty minutes later, Dominic’s armored SUV pulled up to the abandoned rear entrance of St. Jude’s Cathedral in downtown Chicago.

The old stone building loomed in the grey morning light.

Dominic and Claire stepped out. Dominic drew his pistol, keeping it low against his leg.

They descended the crumbling stone steps into the cathedral’s ancient wine cellar.

The air was damp and smelled of mildew.

Flickering candlelight illuminated the cavernous room.

Sitting in a velvet armchair in the center of the cellar was a man.

He looked exactly like Dominic, only a few years younger. He wore a tailored burgundy suit and smiled with the effortless arrogance of a prince.

Leo.

“Brother,” Leo smiled, standing up and spreading his arms. “You look exactly like the photographs.”

Dominic didn't smile back. “Where is the dog?”

Leo chuckled, gesturing to the shadows behind him.

Bruno was lying on the stone floor, chained to a heavy iron ring in the wall. The old dog looked groggy, heavily sedated, but he lifted his head when he saw Claire.

“Captain!” Claire cried, taking a step forward.

“Ah-ah,” Leo warned, pulling a silver revolver from his jacket and aiming it directly at the dog’s head. “Stay right there, sweetheart. I didn't invite the help.”

Dominic raised his own gun, aiming it at the center of Leo’s chest.

“Put the gun down, Leo, or you die before your finger twitches.”

Leo laughed. “You won't shoot me, Dominic. You just found out you have a brother. Deep down, you’re curious. You want to know why our father abandoned me in Miami while you grew up in a mansion.”

“I don't care why,” Dominic said coldly. “I care that you broke into my house.”

“I’m claiming my inheritance,” Leo said, his smile fading into a bitter sneer. “Our father left me nothing. Marco promised me the empire if I helped him, but you ruined that. So now, I’m taking it myself.”

Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment.

“This is a DNA test,” Leo said, tossing it onto the floor between them. “Proof of my bloodline. You sign over half the legitimate businesses, and I let the dog live. You refuse, I shoot the mutt, and tomorrow I start a war that burns Chicago to the ground.”

Dominic didn't look at the paper.

He looked at Bruno.

Then he looked at Claire.

Claire wasn't looking at the gun. She was looking at the chain attached to the wall.

She caught Dominic’s eye and gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

“I don't negotiate with terrorists, Leo,” Dominic said smoothly, taking a slow step to the left, drawing Leo’s attention.

“I’m your blood!” Leo yelled, aiming the revolver at Dominic instead.

“Captain, break!” Claire suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs.

Bruno didn't hesitate. The sedative haze vanished, replaced by decades of elite protection training.

The massive dog didn't pull against the chain. He spun around, biting directly into the leather strap of the collar attached to the chain, snapping the worn buckle instantly.

Free.

Bruno launched himself like a fur-covered missile.