Page 33 of Crimson Reign

Don Vincenzo rises slowly. "Massimo Caruso, you stand accused of the most grievous violations of our code. The verdict is unanimous. The sentence, death."

Massimo laughs coldly. "If I die, I've still won. You'll never know who else was involved. The rot goes deeper than you can imagine."

"That's where you're wrong," I counter, nodding to Valentino, who brings forward a final folder. "Your personal ledger. Every name. Every payment. Every secret."

For the first time, I see genuine fear in Massimo's eyes.

Don Vincenzo takes the ledger, his expression grim. "This changes nothing about your sentence. But it ensures your legacy will be one of complete failure."

He turns to me, extending his hand. "Bellanti, today you have preserved the very foundation of our world. The Commission is in your debt."

"Considering today's events," he continues, "the Bellanti family shall henceforth stand as a special ally to the Commission itself. When we have need, we may call upon you—no questions asked, no debts counted."

It's a position of immense power, and also immense danger.

"The Bellanti family is honored," I respond, "and we accept this responsibility."

Nearby, Massimo watches this exchange, his face twisted with hatred. As two of my men move to take him away, he locks eyes with me one last time.

"If I fall," he snarls, "I'm taking you with me, Bellanti."

It happens so fast. He swiftly takes down two of my men and his hands move inside his jacket.

I'm already drawing my weapon when I see the flash of metal, the gun appearing in his hand with practiced speed. I have time only to register that his aim is perfect, that the bullet will find me before I can fire, when Elena moves.

She lunges toward one of my men standing nearby, snatching the gun from his waistband with a fluid motion I didn't know she possessed. Before Massimo can squeeze his trigger, Elena fires—once, twice, three times.

The shots echo through the hall like thunderclaps. Massimo stumbles backward, his unfired gun clattering to the marble floor as his hands clutch at his chest. Three perfect hits. Center mass. His eyes widen in disbelief as he looks at Elena, blood already seeping between his fingers.

"That's for my husband," she says, her voice cutting through the silence that follows the gunshots. "And for everyone else you've destroyed."

Massimo Caruso, terror of the southern families, falls to his knees and then forward onto the cold stone floor. The last breath rattles from his lips as a pool of dark crimson spreads beneath him.

No one moves for several heartbeats. Then Don Vincenzo steps forward, looking from Massimo's body to Elena, who still holds the gun steady in her hands.

"The woman has more courage than most men in this room," he says finally. "And better aim."

Hours later, when we finally leave the palazzo, the night air is cool against my face. Elena walks beside me toward the waiting car.

"You saved my life tonight," I tell her as we slide into the backseat.

"You've saved mine more times than I can count."

"That was different. I'm trained for this."

"And I'm a quick study." A small smile touches her lips. "Besides, I couldn't let him take you from me. From Fiona."

The car pulls away, carrying us back to the estate. Elena leans her head against my shoulder, exhaustion finally claiming her.

I wrap my arm around her, drawing her closer. After what happened tonight, my family has once again gained unprecedented power tonight, securing our position for generations.

But as I feel Elena's breathing against me, I understand that the greatest power I possess has nothing to do with the Commission or family alliances.

It lies because Elena and Fiona are safe, and they are mine to protect. Everything else—the blood, the politics, the empire—is secondary to that essential truth.

As the car carries us home through the darkness, I make a silent vow that nothing will ever threaten my family again.

The thought should feel like a burden, an impossible promise in our world.

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