Chapter 19 - The Underworld's Justice
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Victor pulled his encrypted radio from his belt.
“Carlo. Bring the cleanup crew upstairs,” Victor commanded.
Audrey scrambled backward, pressing herself into the corner of the room, her voice pitching into a hysterical scream. “No! Victor, please! You can't do this! My father knows I’m here! If I disappear, he’ll send the FBI! He’ll tear your entire syndicate apart!”
Victor crouched down so he was eye-level with the weeping woman.
“Your father is a desperate, broke man who owes millions in illegal real estate loans,” Victor explained calmly. “I already forwarded his financial files to the District Attorney. He’s going to be indicted by tomorrow morning. He won't have the power to save himself, let alone look for a missing daughter.”
The heavy oak door opened, and Carlo stepped into the room, followed by two massive men wearing dark suits and leather gloves. They looked at the spilled water, the terrified maid, and the weeping woman on the floor.
“Boss?” Carlo asked, waiting for the order.
“She tried to poison my mother,” Victor said, standing up and straightening his jacket.
Carlo’s eyes hardened instantly into chips of dark flint. In the mafia, loyalty to the matriarch was absolute. The men in the suits didn't wait for another word. They stepped forward, grabbing Audrey by her arms and hauling her violently to her feet.
“No! Please! Let me go!” Audrey shrieked, thrashing against their unbreakable grip.
“Gag her,” Carlo ordered. One of the men shoved a heavy cloth into her mouth, silencing her screams into muffled, pathetic whimpers.
Victor didn't watch them drag her out of the room. He walked over to the bed, sitting down beside Sylvia. He took her trembling hand and kissed her knuckles.
“It’s over, Ma,” Victor whispered. “She’s gone.”
Sylvia squeezed his hand, a look of profound, overwhelming peace washing over her frail features.
Victor looked up at Marta. The housekeeper was shaking, staring at the empty doorway where the men had dragged Audrey away.
“Marta,” Victor said gently.
She jumped, her eyes snapping to his.
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“You are no longer a maid in this house,” Victor said. “You are the head of my mother’s private care staff. Your salary just tripled, and my men will ensure you and your family in Krakow are protected for the rest of your lives. You have my loyalty, forever.”
Marta began to cry, bowing her head in deep respect. “Thank you, Mr. Victor. Thank you.”
