Chapter 6 - The Serpent’s Mask
By nightfall, a heavy storm battered the coast. Aleandro summoned Victor back to the study under the pretense of planning the assault on the dockside warehouse.
"Victor," Aleandro began, pouring two glasses of thirty-year-old scotch. He handed one to his lieutenant. "You've been with my family a long time. My father trusted you without reservation."
Victor took a slow sip, looking amused. "Your father was a great man, Aleandro. And I look at you like a son."
"Then why sell my bride to Chicago?" Aleandro asked quietly.
The air in the room instantly turned to ice. Victor froze mid-sip. The silence stretched for three agonizing seconds before Victor slowly set his glass down on the desk. The warmth vanished from his eyes, replaced by the ruthless coldness of a predator.
"You were always too sharp for your own good, Aleandro," Victor sneered, dropping all pretense of loyalty. "Just like your father. But you're soft. You let a pretty face distract you."
"Where is Maya?" Aleandro demanded, not raising his voice.
"Safe... until midnight," Victor replied with a cruel smile, pulling a small detonator and a gun from inside his jacket. Outside the study door, heavy footsteps echoed—Victor’s loyal mercenaries had already disarmed and replaced the house guards. "If I don't send a confirmation code every hour, the cellar in Chicago goes up in flames, taking the girl with it. And as for you... an 'unfortunate raid' by Chicago syndicate rivals will end the Moretti bloodline tonight."
Victor raised his weapon, aiming directly at Aleandro's heart. "You should have kept looking under the table, Don Moretti. You missed the real threat."
Suddenly, the heavy curtains behind the desk rustled.
May you like
A tiny voice echoed from the corner. "Mr. Aleandro! Catch!"
Little Emma scrambled out from behind the velvet drapes, throwing a heavy bronze bookend with all her small strength right at Victor's knees!
