Chapter 16 - The Syndicate Traitor
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Norah refused to be sent away.
“I’m not a fragile piece of glass, Luca,” Norah argued fiercely, standing her ground in the center of the study. “I am the only one who completely understands how he structured these fake accounts. If you confront him, he will deny it. You need me to prove it to the captains of your family.”
Luca gripped her arms, his fingers pressing into her skin with a desperate urgency.
“You don't understand how this world works, Norah,” Luca growled, his face inches from hers. “Dominic is a cornered rat. He will kill you just to hurt me. I cannot function if I am worried about your safety.”
“Then lock down the estate,” Norah countered, refusing to back down from his intense gaze. “Double the guards. Put Marco on Leo. But I am your wife, Luca. I am not running away while you fight a war.”
Luca stared at her, genuinely stunned by her fierce loyalty. The women in his world either manipulated from the shadows or fled at the first sign of bullets. Norah was standing firmly in the line of fire, demanding to hold the shield.
“Fine,” Luca finally conceded, pulling her tightly against his chest, burying his face in her hair. “But you do not leave this house. You do not step outside the gates.”
The next morning, Luca called an emergency meeting of the syndicate capos at the estate.
Seven dangerous, heavily armed men sat around the massive dining room table. Dominic Vane sat to Luca’s right, looking completely relaxed, sipping an espresso.
Norah stood in the shadows near the doorway, holding a thick manila folder, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“We have a rat,” Luca announced quietly, breaking the silence in the room.
The capos shifted uncomfortably. Dominic put his cup down, acting outraged. “Who is it, Boss? Give me the name, I’ll handle them personally.”
Luca didn't look at Dominic. He looked at the doorway.
“Norah,” Luca called out.
May you like
Norah stepped into the light, walking toward the table of murderers. She didn't flinch. She dropped the heavy manila folder directly onto the table in front of Dominic.
“Handling yourself might be difficult, Dominic,” Norah said coldly.
