Chapter 19 - The Execution
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Two days later, the reality of the underworld demanded its final toll.
Arthur stood in the soundproof basement of the clinic. The room was dimly lit, smelling of damp concrete.
Malcolm Croft was chained to a heavy metal chair in the center of the room. The older man had been treated for his gunshot wound just enough to keep him alive for this exact moment. He looked pathetic, a broken king stripped of his crown.
The heavy steel door opened, and Leo stepped inside.
“The baby and Chloe are resting comfortably upstairs, Boss,” Leo reported quietly. “The city is entirely under your control. The remaining Croft loyalists have surrendered or fled.”
Arthur nodded, keeping his eyes locked on Malcolm.
“You should have killed me in the tunnel, Arthur,” Malcolm spat, his voice a weak rasp. “You show weakness by letting me live.”
“I didn't let you live out of mercy, Malcolm,” Arthur replied, his voice a low, terrifying rumble that carried no anger, only absolute, chilling finality. “I let you live so you could witness your entire empire crumble. I wanted you to know that the dynasty you tried to build was destroyed by the man you tried to poison.”
Arthur drew his suppressed pistol, checking the chamber with a slow, mechanical precision.
“You threatened my wife. You threatened the mother of my newborn son,” Arthur stated, stepping directly in front of the chained patriarch.
“The Commission will avenge me,” Malcolm sneered, though the fear in his eyes betrayed his bravado.
“The Commission works for me now,” Arthur corrected smoothly.
He didn't hesitate. He didn't offer any dramatic parting words. Arthur raised the weapon and pulled the trigger, ensuring his family would never have to look over their shoulders for Malcolm Croft ever again.
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Arthur holstered his weapon, turning to Leo.
“Burn the body. Erase every trace of the Croft name from this city.”
