Chapter Nine: Blueprint

One of the underbosses tried to speak but Dominic Rinaldi spoke first.

“My word is the law here and what I have said is final.” He said firmly with an expression that declared no room for further conversation.

Luca Rinaldi and Isla Grace Rinaldi glanced at each other with confused looks but didn't say anything. They also didn't understand their brother's actions. Sergio Rinaldi was not to be trusted and it was true that they had been rivals and still were.

So why would Dominic Rinaldi make such a decision?

Luca Rinaldi's confusion persisted in his mind, veiled behind a cold and uninterested face as he tried to make sense of things.

He looked around and analyzed the faces of the members of the clan. They expressed shock and palpable fear and suddenly it clicked; the reason Dominic Rinaldi had done what he had done. Or so he thought.

'This announcement had destabilized the entire room. The gathered members had been walking on eggshells at the start of the meeting, but now, their whole minds were in complete disarray’

Meanwhile, the right-hand man in question, Sergio Rinaldi, was at a loss.

He had only begrudgingly attended the meeting out of respect for the laws of the clan and it was bad enough that he had to wait for Dominic Rinaldi's arrival. Then the little runt had to pull a stunt, completely catching him off guard.

‘What exactly does he intend on achieving?’ Sergio Rinaldi wondered as he stared at Dominic Rinaldi. He had sensed the hint of mockery in his words but he knew that couldn't be it. Dominic Rinaldi wouldn't appoint him to such an important role just to make fun of him. But if not that, then what?

Things were going in a very wrong direction and Sergio Rinaldi hated it. However, ever the shrewd and resourceful operator, he quickly regained his composure and nodded in the direction of Dominic Rinaldi. His eyes, cold, bearing a dark glint, were met with the equally cold glint of Dominic Rinaldi.

After an announcement on the progress of their new dealing with the Russian mafia, Dominic Rinaldi dismissed the meeting.

In the privacy of Dominic Rinaldi's study, he assembled his siblings for a discussion.

The three siblings had been raised by their father to always support each other, and they were the best of friends.

As Luca Rinaldi casually leaned himself against the wall, he eagerly awaited an explanation for Dominic Rinaldi's puzzling decision at the meeting earlier today.

Meanwhile, Isla Grace Rinaldi's eyes remained fixated on Dominic Rinaldi, who seemed deeply engrossed in reviewing the day's report.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Luca Rinaldi broke the silence with a hint of jest in his voice,

"Why the hell did you make Sergio Rinaldi your right hand man? You know the bastard wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in your heart, did you secretly audition for a role in a mafia-themed soap opera and not tell me?"

Dominic Rinaldi, still focused on the file, replied in Italian, “Very funny, brother. But no, that is not the reason for my decision.”

He looked up.

“We all know what kind of person Sergio Rinaldi is and we know he is not gonna sit still while I run the scene. We also know that I have a very astute premonition and I can tell that something is coming. I don't know what it will be yet but while I'm figuring that out, I'd like to have the enemies I know by my side.”

Before either brother could say more, Isla Grace Rinaldi chimed in, "You’re absolutely right, Dom. We need to be super careful. Uncle Sergio is irrational and unpredictable, there's no guessing what he'll do next.”

At that, Luca Rinaldi chuckled. “Indeed sister. For all we know, he could challenge Dominic Rinaldi to a duel over the last cannoli at the dinner table and cause a whole ruckus.” He made funny faces, mimicking Sergio Rinaldi's movements and Isla Grace Rinaldi couldn't control her laughter.

“My, what a horror that would be. I do love my cannoli brother but I would rather face an army of gangsters armed with rubber swords than deal with Sergio Rinaldi's delirious wrath over a piece of pastry.” Dominic Rinaldi declared mockingly.

The siblings laughed once more and a faint smile appeared on Dominic Rinaldi's usually stoic face. His eyes crinkled ever so slightly, revealing a rare glimpse of warmth. The silly joke had managed to crack through his icy exterior, if only for a moment. It was a sight that Luca Rinaldi and Isla Grace Rinaldi cherished, knowing that their sibling bond had the power to bring even the coldest of hearts to life.

Encouraged by Dominic Rinaldi's subtle smile, Isla Grace Rinaldi continued with the playful banter.

“This reminds me of the one time Luca Rinaldi tried to outsmart Nonna Rosa in a game of poker. She saw right through you and after beating you with a flush, made you do the chicken dance in front of everyone.”

Immediately, Luca Rinaldi let out a groan and covered his face with embarrassment. Of course, he hadn't forgotten, the memory still haunted him due to the many times his siblings had used him as a source of comedy both in public and private settings.

Laughter filled the room as they momentarily let go of the tension that surrounded them. They understood the gravity of their situation, but humor served as a brief respite.

The tension was gone and the humour had dwindled so the siblings stood in comfortable silence for a few seconds before Isla Grace Rinaldi spoke up.

"Dom, would you like some chocolate cookies?" Isla Grace Rinaldi asked. “I got a new recipe and I think you would love it."

"Hmm, you know how much I love your baking. Bring it, who knows what superpower I might get from it." Dominic Rinaldi answered with a smile.

"Noted." Isla Grace Rinaldi responded.

"Uh, what about me?" Luca Rinaldi asked, not hiding his displeasure with the pastry love Isla Grace Rinaldi was giving to only Dominic Rinaldi.

"I deserve a treat too and I need some superpowers to beat Rosa in the next game." He declared.

"Just accept your fate and do the chicken dance once more." Dominic Rinaldi mocked.

"Why you.." Luca Rinaldi started to threaten but stopped in his tracks and turned to Isla Grace Rinaldi.

"You know what, I'm going in the kitchen with you. You aren't cruel enough to refuse me if I help you with baking." He declared dragging her out of the room.

After the departure of his siblings, Dominic Rinaldi sat in his study engrossed in his thoughts when his butler entered the room with a humble bow.

"Did you get it?" He asked this tone and facial expression back to the ice king he was.

“Yes master.” the butler replied respectfully. He placed a folder on the desk, containing a handful of documents, including the blueprint of his own house which Dominic Rinaldi had asked for.

Dominic Rinaldi's eyes landed on the blueprint, instantly transporting him back to the peculiar incident that had unfolded just a few days prior.

Before his butler could begin to discuss the documents, Dominic Rinaldi stopped him and ordered him to fetch Martha and bring her to him. His butler did as he commanded and within minutes, Martha stood before him, visibly trembling at the unexpected summons from the don.

Unfazed by her nervousness, Dominic Rinaldi posed his question directly, his piercing gaze fixed upon her.

"You were the one who presented my wife with the copy of the house map, correct?" He asked.

The woman nodded but quickly uttered a timid, “Yes.” when she noticed Dominic Rinaldi's glare and was reminded by his butler's subtle gesture of the unwritten rule within the mafia to speak when spoken to. It was a sign of respect that she dared not fail to oblige.

"Yes, master." She said more audibly.

“Who made the copy of the map that you gave her?” Dominic Rinaldi asked.

“The chief guard.” Martha responded, her head still faced down.

Dominic Rinaldi's eyes narrowed with a mix of anger and realization.

"So, he was the one who gave Sierra Evelyn Morgan an excuse to come into my study without my permission." He muttered under his breath.

Turning his attention to the maid, Dominic Rinaldi spoke with a stern tone.

"You may leave now."

The woman quickly scurried out of the room, clearly relieved to escape the tense atmosphere.

Dominic Rinaldi's gaze then shifted to his butler, his voice dripping with frustration.

"Kill that idiot immediately. I won't tolerate such breaches of trust in my own home."

"Yes, master." Adam, the butler, nodded in agreement, fully understanding the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, in the grand halls of Sergio Rinaldi mansion, fury consumed him. His face flushed with anger, he shouted, "Who does he think he is, making me his right hand? I'm supposed to be at the top!"

His rage erupted like a volcano, causing him to unleash his frustration on his surroundings. With a violent sweep of his arm, he sent the documents on his desk flying and toppled the expensive decorations in his room. The room became a chaotic mess, mirroring the turmoil within Sergio Rinaldi's heart.

"Vanny, my dear.." Maria, of his wives, dared to approach him cautiously, her voice trembling with fear. "Please, calm down. Let's talk about this."

Sergio Rinaldi's eyes blazed with fury as he turned his gaze towards her, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.

“If you value your life, leave this room this instant.” He bellowed. His words hung heavy in the air, sending a chilling silence through the mansion.

The atmosphere grew tense as everyone in the mansion knew it was best to stay out of Sergio Rinaldi's sight.

Fueled with determination and burning ambition. Sergio Rinaldi swore, "You just wait, Dominic Rinaldi,"

"I'm going to be at the top someday soon and I will make you pay." His words echoed through the halls, leaving a chilling reminder of the darkness that resided