Chapter 1 - The Aftermath
The silence in the grand hall was deafening.
Every eye remained fixed on the crimson crest exposed within the velvet bear.
Lorenzo Castiglione slowly rose to his feet.
His massive frame eclipsed the warm light of the chandeliers.
He didn't look at the armed guards or the nervous syndicate bosses.
His dark eyes were locked entirely on Elena.
"The Serpent and the Shattered Crown," Don Marchesi whispered from the shadows.
It was a crest that hadn't been seen in Rome for five years.
It belonged to the Moretti bloodline, a rival faction entirely wiped out in a brutal massacre.
Or so everyone had believed.
Elena pulled Maya closer to her chest.
She could feel her daughter's tiny heart racing against her own.
"My office," Lorenzo commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.
He gestured for his lead enforcer, a towering man named Marco.
"Clear the hall, and make sure Valeria is escorted out immediately," Lorenzo added coldly.
Valeria gasped, her face twisting in pure outrage.
"You are throwing me out for a maid?" she shrieked.
Lorenzo didn't even grant her the dignity of a glance.
He placed a firm, protective hand on the small of Elena's back.
He guided her and Maya away from the hungry stares of the underworld.
May you like
The heavy oak doors of his private study slammed shut behind them.
The real interrogation was about to begin.
