Chapter 6 - Rossi’s Wrath
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The music faded, leaving a heavy, dangerous tension suspended over the ballroom.
Before Naya could step back, Don Rossi pushed past two Marshall soldiers, marching directly onto the dance floor. He was a large man, broad-shouldered and reeking of aged cigars and fury.
“What is the meaning of this, Devan?” Rossi barked, pointing a thick finger at Naya. “My daughter leaves because you are half a man, and you replace her with the hired help to mock our family?”
Naya’s grip tightened reflexively on Devan’s hand, but she didn’t shrink back.
Devan smoothly positioned his chair between Naya and the furious Don.
“Your daughter left because she is a coward, Emilio,” Devan said, his voice dropping into a register that made the air in the room feel instantly colder. “She broke a syndicate treaty. The insult belongs entirely to you.”
“You insult me by parading this trash in front of the Commission!” Rossi roared, gesturing violently toward the crowd of watching bosses.
“Watch your tone,” Devan warned, his eyes narrowing into lethal slits.
“Or what?” Rossi sneered, looking down at Devan’s paralyzed legs. “You’ll run me over? You’re finished, Marshall. Without our alliance, the Five Families will strip your territory by midnight.”
Naya felt a sudden surge of protective anger. She stepped out from behind Devan’s chair, her chin held high.
“If he’s so finished,” Naya said, her voice ringing clearly across the dance floor, “why are your hands shaking, Mr. Rossi?”
Rossi froze. He stared at the maid, utterly bewildered by her audacity.
“How dare you speak to me—”
“She speaks because I allow it,” Devan interrupted, cutting Rossi off completely. He reached up, grasping Naya’s wrist, but not to pull her away. He held her hand up for the entire ballroom to see.
“Camilla is no longer welcome in my territory,” Devan announced loudly. “And as for my bride, I find this one vastly superior. She actually has a spine.”
Rossi’s face turned a violent shade of red. He spun on his heel and stormed out of the ballroom, his men trailing quickly behind him.
Devan looked up at Naya, his expression unreadable.
“Leo,” Devan called out without turning his head.
May you like
His underboss was instantly at his side.
“Take Miss Walker to my private study. We have business to discuss.”
