He took the five dollars—not because he needed it, but because whatever came next was worth far more than money.
Chapter 2: A Man With Rules
His name was Victor Romano.
For nearly fifteen years, he had controlled the South Side of Chicago with two unbreakable rules:
He always kept his word.
And he never got involved with children.
His territory stretched from the river docks to downtown storefronts. Everyone knew the routine. Pay on time. Don’t talk to police. Don’t cause chaos.
And never, ever bring families into business.
That Tuesday evening was supposed to be ordinary. Victor had just finished collecting payments at his restaurant, Roma Luna. His driver waited at the curb. His enforcers, Leo and Frank, stood watch.
At exactly 8:30 p.m., the neighborhood usually went quiet.
But not tonight.
Because the little girl hadn’t crossed the street.
She had walked straight toward him.
Chapter 3: A Child Who Didn’t Flinch
“What’s your name?” Victor asked.
“…Lily,” she said. “Lily Carter.”
“How old are you?”
“Seven. Almost eight.”
She didn’t step back. Didn’t cry. She stood there like she had practiced this moment again and again.
“Where are your parents, Lily?”
That’s when the tears came.