Chapter 20 - The Unfinished Business
|
A year later, the Castellano empire was stronger and more stable than it had been in decades.
Nora stood in the grand foyer, adjusting the collar of Leo’s little school uniform. He was six now, confident and bright, entirely healed from the trauma of his early childhood.
“Be good for Marco today,” Nora smiled, kissing his cheek as the massive bodyguard led the boy out to the armored SUV for the school run.
“I will, Mom!” Leo waved happily before the heavy oak doors closed.
Nora turned around, feeling a profound sense of absolute peace. The house was quiet, bathed in morning light. She walked toward Luca’s primary study to bring him his morning espresso.
As she approached the heavy wooden doors, she heard the low, urgent murmur of voices. It wasn't the usual casual business tone. It was the tense, hushed sound of an impending crisis.
Nora pushed the door open slightly.
Luca was standing behind his mahogany desk, leaning forward, his hands planted flat on the wood. Silvio, the head of cyber-security, and three top capos were gathered around a glowing laptop screen.
“Are we sure the intel is accurate?” Luca demanded, his voice a lethal, quiet rumble.
“Positive, Boss,” Silvio replied grimly. “The encrypted chatter originated from Sicily. The old families. They aren't happy that you stabilized the New York territory without their permission. They feel you’ve grown too independent. Too powerful.”
“Let them feel what they want,” Luca growled.
“It’s not just feelings, Luca,” an older capo warned. “They sent an emissary. A cleaner. He landed at JFK three hours ago. We don't have a name, and we don't have a face. But his orders are to dismantle your hierarchy from the top down.”
Nora froze in the doorway, the espresso cup trembling slightly in her hand.
The peace they had fought so brutally to secure was a fragile illusion. The ghosts of the old country had crossed the ocean, and they were bringing a war that couldn't be solved with a simple access card or an FBI raid.
Luca looked up, his dark eyes catching Nora standing in the doorway.
May you like
The fierce, terrifying mafia boss didn't try to hide the reality from her. He stood up straight, his gaze locking onto hers with an unspoken, desperate vow to protect their family no matter the cost.
Nora didn't flinch. She stepped fully into the room, setting the espresso on the desk, her chin held high. The quiet, invisible nanny was dead. The Queen of the Castellano empire was ready for whatever monsters were coming in the dark.
