Chapter 19
"Let them be terrified," Valentina murmured, standing up and smoothing her emerald suit. "Fear is a highly effective operational baseline. But we do not rest on it, Marcus. We fortify. I want the security protocols at the ports doubled, and I want a new layer of encryption on all internal communications."
"Consider it done, Boss," Marcus nodded respectfully.
Valentina looked out over the vibrant, brightly lit conservatory. She had faced betrayal from her own blood, survived a coordinated assassination attempt, and crushed a rival syndicate without losing her grip on her empire. She had proven that a mother's protective fury was far more dangerous than any old-world mafia ambition.
"Mommy, can we go see the flowers now?" Owen asked, tugging on her hand.
"Of course, my sweet boy," Valentina smiled, her terrifying, sociopathic detachment entirely replaced by warm, fierce devotion.
She walked with him through the lush, green pathways of the conservatory, her high heels clicking softly against the stone. She was the undisputed matriarch of the Morello family, a billionaire syndicate boss, and an apex predator. But above all, she was a mother who had burned the world to ashes to ensure her son would inherit a kingdom free of poison.
Her encrypted phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a secure message from Thomas.
May you like
"The commission has formally recognized your absolute authority over the territory. They send their respects."
Valentina read the message, a microscopic, dangerous smile touching her lips. The old men in their smoke-filled rooms had finally understood the new reality. She slipped the phone back into her pocket and focused entirely on her son.
