Chapter 5
Chairs scraped frantically against the polished marble floors. Men and women with fair, rosy skin paled in terror as they abandoned their fine wine, velvet sofas, and festive cheer. They rushed toward the massive double doors, eager to escape the impending explosion of violence before they were forced to take a side in a mafia civil war.
"Sebastian, you are making a catastrophic mistake," Serena hissed, attempting to salvage her dignity as the room rapidly emptied. "My father will hear of this. The Rowe family will not tolerate this level of public disrespect. You need our shipping routes."
"I would burn every ship in the harbor before I let you sleep under my roof again," Sebastian replied coldly.
Within ninety seconds, the sprawling grand salon was completely empty, save for Sebastian, Serena, Ivy, Milo, and the heavy security detail standing silently by the silk drapes. The bright, airy luminosity of the room now illuminated only the raw, ugly truth of the betrayal.
Sebastian looked down at Ivy. The gentle maid was still clutching the unfinished evergreen wreath, her delicate features pale with shock, yet she had stood her ground. She was keeping Milo close, shielding the little boy from the intense confrontation.
"Ivy," Sebastian said, his tone softening only marginally as he addressed her. "Take Milo upstairs to my private quarters. Lock the doors. Allow no one inside but my personal guard."
"Yes, Mr. Blackwell," Ivy whispered, her voice shaking with adrenaline. She gently took the six-year-old boy’s hand, offering him a small, watery smile. "Come along, Milo. Let's go see if Santa left anything early."
Milo looked up at his father, then at Serena, before clinging tightly to Ivy's white apron. As the maid and the child hurried up the marble staircase, their footsteps echoing softly, Sebastian turned his full, terrifying attention back to the woman in the emerald gown.
"Now," Sebastian said, taking a slow, predatory step toward her. "You are going to tell me exactly how many men Gavin has mobilized within my own ranks."
"I won't tell you anything!" Serena shrieked, backing away until her spine hit the edge of a carved walnut table. "If I give you the numbers, you will kill me! My silence is the only leverage I have left to walk out of this mansion alive!"
"Do you believe leverage exists for a woman who has just admitted to conspiring to murder the boss of this syndicate?" Sebastian countered, stepping closer, his imposing frame blocking her escape.
"My father will not stand for this!" Serena cried, her diamond earrings swinging wildly. "He is a powerful man, Sebastian! He will bring the entire Rowe syndicate down on your head! You cannot touch me!"
"Do you expect me to fear a corrupt politician more than I despise a monster standing in my home?" Sebastian asked, his dark eyes narrowing into cold, unforgiving slits.
May you like
He didn't wait for her to answer. He turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the four heavily armed guards stationed near the mirrored walls.
"Are you men going to secure this traitor, or must I break her legs myself before we walk downstairs?" Sebastian asked, his command absolute.
