Chapter 11 - Blood for Blood
Elena stared at the woman who had slapped her and tried to murder her child.
"You told me to know my place," Elena said softly.
"My place is at the head of this family, and yours is in the dirt."
Elena did not pull the trigger herself, but she gave the nod.
Marco stepped forward and dragged Valeria out the side door into the rain.
A single gunshot echoed from the alleyway, followed by dead silence.
Don Marchesi stood frozen, realizing he had underestimated the maid completely.
"Take your men and leave Rome," Lorenzo ordered the old boss.
"If I see your face in this city again, you will join her."
Marchesi swallowed hard, leaning heavily on his cane as he retreated.
His empire had crumbled without a single bullet fired in the cathedral.
The loyalists cheered, raising their weapons in a salute to Elena.
Lorenzo turned to her, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips.
"You were magnificent," he whispered, pulling her into his arms.
"I learned from the best," she replied, resting her head against his chest.
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But the victory was only the beginning of their journey.
They had won the battle, but they had to secure the empire.
