Chapter 7 - The Gathering Storm
I refused to stay behind on the island.
"You are not leaving us here to wait for ghosts," I told Lorenzo, packing Leo’s small bag.
He tried to argue, claiming it was too dangerous for a civilian.
"I stopped being a civilian the day Isabella murdered my husband," I fired back.
Lorenzo stared at me, a smirk slowly spreading across his handsome face.
"You have the fire of a mob boss's wife, Clara."
He agreed to bring us to a secure warehouse on the outskirts of Palermo, heavily guarded by his most trusted enforcers.
When we arrived, over a hundred armed men dressed in black were waiting.
They bowed their heads in deep respect as Lorenzo walked through the doors.
To my surprise, they bowed to me as well.
"They know you are under my protection," Lorenzo explained softly.
"In our world, that makes you royalty."
He stood on a crate, addressing his army with a voice that commanded absolute obedience.
"Tonight, we purge the rats from our city!" he roared.
"Isabella Costa and Capo Marino die before midnight."
The men cheered, the sound echoing like thunder in the massive warehouse.
Lorenzo turned to me, handing me a small, pearl-handled pistol.
"Keep this close, and do not leave this room," he ordered.
He kissed my forehead, a lingering touch that felt like a silent promise to return.
May you like
Then he walked out into the night, leading an army to war.
I held my son tight, praying that the monster I had fallen for would survive.
