Chapter 10
The remainder of the 'wedding' was a masterclass in psychological domination. One by one, the city’s elite lined up, not to offer congratulations to the bride, but to kiss the ring of the new Don. They swore their fealty, their eyes darting nervously to the armed men in navy blue suits who watched their every move.
Victor sat slumped in a chair near the front, a broken, hollow shell of a man. His charcoal morning suit looked ridiculous now, the uniform of a defeated king. Trent remained kneeling by the altar, weeping silently, completely ignored by the guests who once feared him.
Nia stood by the massive wedding cake, accepting the pledges of loyalty with cold, regal grace. She sipped a glass of champagne, her diamond choker sparkling in the light. It had been a flawless victory. The Moretti family had conquered the southern territory without losing a single soldier.
As the line of guests dwindled, Silas approached Nia, bowing his head respectfully.
"The perimeter is entirely secure, Boss," Silas reported, his voice low. "The local police chief has agreed to the new financial terms. The transition is complete."
"Excellent work, Silas," Nia said, setting her champagne glass on a silver tray. "Have Victor and Trent moved to the secure compound upstate. I don't want them in this city tonight."
"Of course," Silas nodded.
Before Silas could turn away, Victor suddenly stood up from his chair. He didn't look broken anymore. He looked desperate, and terribly, terribly frightened. He pushed past two bodyguards, stopping a few feet from Nia.
"You think you have won, girl," Victor spat, his voice a hoarse, ragged croak. "You think taking my men and my money makes you safe."
"I know it does, Victor," Nia replied calmly, unbothered by his outburst.
"You are a fool," Victor laughed, a dark, hacking sound that sent a chill through the warm ballroom. "Why do you think I was so desperate to marry my son into a clean, corporate family? Why do you think I was trying to legitimize my assets?"
Nia’s eyes narrowed slightly, her predatory instincts flaring. "Speak."
"I wasn't expanding my empire," Victor whispered, his rosy skin pale and sweating. "I was running. The cartel down south... they called my debt last week. I owe them fifty million dollars in laundered cash by midnight tomorrow. If I don't pay, they promised to burn this entire city to the bedrock."
Victor smiled a bloody, awful smile. "You didn't steal a kingdom, Nia. You stole a graveyard. And they are already on their way."
Nia stood perfectly still in her beautiful ivory lace gown. The music had stopped. The ballroom was empty, save for her men. She looked at Victor, absorbing the sheer magnitude of the threat he had just laid at her feet. She had conquered the city, only to discover it was standing in the path of a hurricane.
May you like
She turned her gaze toward the massive glass doors of the ballroom, looking out into the dark, sprawling city she now owned. The real war hadn't even begun.
"Silas," Nia said, her voice dropping to a whisper of pure, lethal ice. "Arm everyone."
