Chapter 10
The sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long, dramatic shadows across the pristine, brightly lit garden. The catering staff efficiently cleared away the broken folding chairs and the collapsed canopy, erasing all physical evidence of the brutal confrontation. The guests resumed their polite, hushed conversations, their fair, rosy faces pale as they forced smiles and drank their expensive champagne, terrified of drawing the attention of the woman who now held absolute, undisputed control over their lives.
Serafina stood on the elevated stone patio, holding a fresh glass of sparkling water, watching her children eat cake at a nearby table, surrounded by a protective ring of her most loyal guards.
"Everything is secured, Boss," the lead Capo, a man named Thomas, murmured as he stepped up beside her. "Victor and Nolan are locked in the holding cells at the docks. They are awaiting your arrival."
"Good," Serafina nodded, taking a slow sip of her water. "Did you sweep Victor's private office?"
"We did," Thomas confirmed, his voice dropping into a serious, confidential whisper. "And we found exactly what you suspected we would."
Serafina’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Tell me."
"Victor wasn't acting alone, ma'am," Thomas explained, handing her a small, encrypted flash drive. "We found communication logs. He has been funneling money and operational intelligence to the rival syndicates in Chicago for the last six months. He promised them control of the eastern shipping ports in exchange for their backing in today's coup."
Serafina’s grip on her glass tightened until her knuckles turned white. The situation was infinitely more dangerous than a simple family dispute. Victor had committed high treason, selling out their territory to outsiders.
"Does Chicago know the coup failed?" Serafina asked, her voice cold and analytical.
"Not yet," Thomas replied. "But they are expecting a phone call from Victor by nightfall to confirm that you have been neutralized. When he doesn't call, they will know something went wrong. They have heavily armed strike teams waiting just outside the city limits."
Serafina looked out over the bright, beautiful garden, the cinematic light catching the gold signet ring on her finger. The war wasn't over. It had only just begun. She had secured her throne, but now she had to defend it against a massive, external army that believed she was weak.
"Let them wait," Serafina commanded, a dark, terrifying smile touching the corners of her lips. "Mobilize the entire armory. Call in every soldier from the outer boroughs. We aren't going to wait for Chicago to attack us."
May you like
"What are your orders, Boss?" Thomas asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"We are going to take the fight to them," Serafina declared, turning to walk back into the mansion, leaving the bright garden behind. "By tomorrow morning, I want the Chicago syndicates to know exactly who handles the numbers in this city."
