Chapter 8 - The Contract
"Option one," I continued, my tone smooth and cold as obsidian. "You sign these parental surrender documents right now. You sign away every single legal claim, right, and title to Keo Rossi forever. In exchange, I give you fifty thousand dollars in cash, a one-way ticket to California, and I forget you ever stepped foot on my property."
Rossi's eyes flickered with instant greed at the mention of fifty thousand dollars cash. "And... option two?"
"Option two," I leaned down, whispering into his ear so only he could hear, "is that you leave this house without signing. You won't make it to the end of the driveway. My men will throw you into the lake with fifty pounds of chains around your ankles, and no one in this city will ever hear your name again."
Rossi began to sweat profusely. He looked at the heavy leather folder on the table, then at my cold, unblinking eyes. He knew I wasn't bluffing. In Chicago, Dominic Gallo's promises were ironclad.
"Give me the pen," Rossi squeaked.
My attorney stepped forward, handing Rossi a silver fountain pen. With trembling hands, the man signed every single page of the full parental termination agreement, forfeiting all legal rights to his son permanently.
"Smart choice," I said, picking up the signed papers and verifying the signatures.
Marco stepped forward, tossing a duffel bag containing fifty thousand dollars at Rossi's feet.
"Take your money and get out of my city," I ordered calmly. "If I see your face in Illinois after midnight tonight, option two becomes mandatory."
Rossi grabbed the bag, practically sprinting out of the room alongside his terrified attorneys.
When the heavy front door closed behind them, Linda stepped out from behind the mahogany staircase where she had been watching the entire exchange. She looked at me with tears streaming down her cheeks, her hands trembling.
"He... he signed it?" she whispered.
"He signed it," I confirmed, walking over to her and handing her the legal document. "He will never bother you or Keo again. Legally, physically, or financially."
Linda gripped the document against her chest as if it were a priceless treasure. She fell against my chest, sobbing uncontrollably. For the first time, I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly against me, breathing in the scent of her rain-washed hair.
May you like
"You saved us again," she wept into my jacket.
"No, Linda," I murmured, resting my chin on her head. "You saved yourself the day you walked into my study and asked for help. I am just making sure no one takes your future away."
