Chapter 6
Two massive enforcers stepped forward instantly, moving with terrifying, synchronized efficiency. They grabbed Serena roughly by the arms, entirely ignoring the expensive fabric of her luxurious emerald gown.
"Get your hands off me!" Serena screamed as they dragged her backward toward the corridor. "I am Serena Rowe! I am going to be the lady of this house! Sebastian, call them off!"
"Take her to the holding cells in the sub-basement," Sebastian commanded, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "Ensure the temperature is dropped, and that she is stripped of all jewelry and communication devices."
"You are a dead man, Sebastian!" Serena wailed as they hauled her through the heavy mahogany doors. "Gavin will kill you! He has half your capos in his pocket! You hear me? You are a dead man!"
"We will see," Sebastian murmured, listening as the heavy doors slammed shut, instantly cutting off her frantic, echoing screams.
The grand salon was plunged back into a profound, ringing silence. The towering Christmas tree continued to sparkle with warm fairy lights and gold ornaments, a surreal, festive backdrop to the brutal mafia justice that had just been executed. Sebastian stood perfectly still for a long moment, the adrenaline of the confrontation slowly ebbing, leaving behind a profound, aching exhaustion and a burning, violent realization.
His own brother was attempting to slaughter him.
He had defended his son and rescued the woman who had quietly risked her life to expose the treason, but the political fallout with the Rowe family and the internal civil war with Gavin would inevitably ignite a massive bloodbath in the coming days. Gavin was older, bitter, and possessed deep ties to the eastern ports. Blood would inevitably spill on the snow before the new year.
Sebastian let out a slow, controlled breath. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, rolling his broad shoulders to release the coiled tension. He needed to secure his son. He needed to ensure the estate was locked down before Gavin's men realized the coup had been discovered.
He turned and strode purposefully out of the grand salon, ascending the marble staircase two steps at a time. His polished shoes were silent on the thick carpet as he headed straight for his private quarters on the second floor.
He approached the heavy wooden door of the master suite. Two enforcers stood guard, their hands resting on their holstered weapons. They nodded respectfully as the boss approached.
"Is the perimeter secure?" Sebastian asked, his deep voice carrying a quiet urgency.
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"Yes, Boss. No one has entered or exited the wing," the lead guard confirmed, stepping aside to open the heavy door for him.
Sebastian stepped into his private quarters. The room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a roaring fireplace. Milo was sitting on the edge of the massive four-poster bed, having shed his charcoal suit jacket and burgundy bow tie, looking small and fragile in his crisp white shirt. Sitting on the floor right beside him, speaking in a low, soothing voice, was Ivy Collins.
