Chapter 16 - The Brother’s Fall
|
Vanessa collapsed onto the floor of the cell, realizing with horrifying, absolute clarity that she was completely, irrevocably alone. The high-society princess had been entirely erased from existence by a maid she had once accused of stealing a bracelet.
“What are you going to do to me?” Vanessa whispered, her voice hollow and defeated, devoid of any remaining arrogance.
“I don't kill women,” Daniel said coldly, looking down at the pathetic creature on the concrete floor. “But I also don't forgive treason.”
Daniel turned to Grace, silently delegating the execution of the sentence to his new Underboss.
Grace stepped into the cell. She looked down at the woman who had humiliated her, who had treated her like garbage, and who had actively plotted to murder the only man who had ever treated Grace with respect.
“You are going to experience exactly what it feels like to be invisible,” Grace stated, her voice sharp and commanding.
“Elias,” Grace called out.
The massive security chief stepped into the doorway.
“Take her to the city,” Grace ordered. “Strip her of any identification, any jewelry, and any cash. Drop her in the worst neighborhood in the Bronx. If she attempts to contact her old friends, or if she ever tries to return to her former life, the video goes public and the syndicate will hunt her down.”
Vanessa sobbed, a pathetic, broken sound, as Elias hauled her roughly to her feet. She was dragged out of the cell, her glamorous, untouchable life officially reduced to absolute, terrifying poverty.
Daniel watched her go, feeling a profound, heavy satisfaction settle in his chest. The rot had been completely excised from his empire.
He turned to Grace, a genuine, dark smile touching his lips.
“You handle power remarkably well, Grace,” Daniel murmured as they walked back upstairs.
“I had a very good teacher, Boss,” she replied smoothly.
“We have a lot of work to do to rebuild the alliances that Julian shattered,” Daniel noted, walking into his study and pouring them both a drink. “The Russians will retaliate for Alexei’s death. The Italians will test our borders to see if the transition of power has made us weak.”
“Then we must show them that we are stronger than ever,” Grace said, taking the glass of scotch.
Daniel raised his glass, clinking it gently against hers.
May you like
“To the new order,” Daniel proposed.
“To the King and his shadow,” Grace replied, sealing the deadliest partnership the city had ever seen.
