Chapter 9 - THE BREATHING MASK
The nightmare ended not with a gunshot, but with the wail of sirens.
We didn't call the police. Dominic called his own private medical extraction team.
They swarmed the bunker, neutralizing the explosives and taking Dr. Kane into custody. He wouldn't go to prison. He would go to a dark, secure facility owned by the Russo syndicate, where he would spend his final days answering for twenty years of stolen time.
Paramedics carefully lifted Dominic’s mother from the rigged wheelchair.
She reached out, her frail hand gripping Dominic’s sleeve.
“I’m sorry, my boy,” she wept. “I couldn't protect you from your father.”
Dominic kissed her forehead. The hardened mafia boss, the most feared man in South Chicago, was crying.
“You’re safe now, Ma. We’re all safe.”
Three days later.
The sun was shining brightly through the massive windows of the Russo estate.
The heavy, oppressive atmosphere that had choked the house was gone.
I stood in the medical suite, packing my nurse’s bag.
My contract was officially over.
Anthony walked into the room. He looked rested. The dark circles under his eyes were fading.
“Elena and the baby are doing perfectly,” Anthony said, handing me a thick envelope. “This is your bonus. It’s… substantial.”
I didn't open it. I knew it would be enough to pay off my mother’s house and retire if I wanted to.
“Thank you, Anthony. Make sure you use that new CPAP machine.”
“I will. No more hiding.” He smiled, a genuine, warm expression. “You saved our family, Sarah. We owe you everything.”
Anthony left, and I zipped my bag closed.
“You’re leaving without saying goodbye?”
I turned around.
Dominic stood in the doorway.
He was wearing a tailored suit, looking healthier than he had in months.
The Russo medical team had immediately begun a detoxification protocol to flush the decades-old neurotoxin from his system. His breathing was already stabilizing. He wouldn't need the CPAP machine much longer.
“I figured you had businesses to rebuild,” I smiled.
Dominic walked into the room.
He picked up the sabotaged CPAP mask from the bedside table. The one I had ripped off his face four nights ago.
He tossed it into the trash can.
“I’m done with the businesses,” Dominic said quietly.
I blinked. “What?”
“I’m stepping down. Anthony is taking over the legitimate companies. The rest is being dismantled. I spent my whole life fighting ghosts my father created. I’m finished.”
He stepped closer to me.
“I’m going to spend my time taking care of my mother. And Margaret. And Silvia.”
He looked down at me, his dark eyes intense, but entirely gentle.
“But there is one thing I still need.”
My heart did a strange flutter. “What’s that?”
May you like
Dominic reached out and gently took my hand.
“A nurse,” he said softly. “Or maybe… just a dinner date. If you’re willing to put up with a man who is finally learning how to breathe.”
