Page 32 of Crimson Reign

"I apologize for the dramatic entrance," he says calmly, stepping inside, "but it seems Matteo Bellanti was about to present some... creative storytelling." His eyes find mine. "I couldn't allow such slander to go unchallenged."

"What is the meaning of this?" Don Vincenzo demands. "Weapons drawn at a Commission gathering? This is unforgivable, Caruso!"

"What's unforgivable is the conspiracy to destroy a founding family," Massimo replies smoothly. "Bellanti has been plotting against me for months, fabricating evidence, turning my own men against me."

I scan the room, assessing options. Bruno is no longer in the hall, likely rallying our men from outside. Valentino stands frozen by the control panel. Elena has slid partially behind a column, but she's still too exposed.

"You speak of evidence," I say, keeping my voice level, buying time. "Let the Commission see it for themselves and make their judgment. That's our way."

Massimo laughs. "There will be no judgment today except mine." He nods to his men. "Secure Bellanti and his woman. Kill anyone who interferes."

Two soldiers move toward us, weapons trained on my chest. Suddenly, Elena rushes forward. One man grabs for her, but she's quicker, ducking under his arm and slamming the heel of her hand into his throat. In that moment of distraction, I strike.

My fist connects with the second man's jaw. I feel his bone crack as I twist, ripping the gun from his grip. He crumples as I spin, weapon now in hand, looking for Massimo—but he's already moving behind his bodyguards.

The room erupts into chaos. Commission members dive for cover as gunshots ring out. My men emerge from their disguises, engaging Massimo's forces. Tables overturn, glass shatters.

"Elena!" I call out, losing sight of her in the chaos.

A bullet grazes my left arm, blood immediately soaking my sleeve. I grit my teeth, focusing on the threat. Massimo stands near the main entrance, partially shielded by his remaining men. Our eyes meet across the chaos.

"It's over, Massimo!" I shout. "Your men are falling. Surrender now!"

His response is a bitter smile as he raises his hand, revealing a small device with a red button. "If I can't have it," he says, "neither will you."

A detonator. Fuck!

Commission members, family leaders, and innocents fill the palazzo. I can’t let them die.

Before I can move, Elena launches herself at him with feral intensity. The impact sends them both crashing to the floor; the detonator skittering across marble tiles.

I'm running toward them instantly. Elena and Massimo grapple on the ground, her elegant dress now torn and bloodied. She's fighting as good as she can, but Massimo is stronger.

As I reach them, Massimo pins Elena beneath him, his hands closing around her throat. I don't hesitate—the butt of my gun crashes down on his skull. He slumps forward, unconscious, and I pull Elena free.

"I'm fine," she gasps. "The detonator—"

I locate it several feet away, crushing it beneath my heel. Around us, the fighting subsides. Massimo's men, seeing their leader fallen, begin to surrender.

Valentino approaches, blood streaming from a cut above his eye but otherwise intact. "Palazzo is secure," he reports. "Five of our men wounded, none critically. Three of the Caruso's were dead, the rest captured or surrendered."

"The Commission?" I ask, still holding Elena close, unwilling to let her go.

"Safe. Don Vincenzo is in the secure room below with the others. They're waiting for you."

I nod, looking down at Massimo's unconscious form. "Bind him. Tightly. Post our best men as guards."

As Valentino carries out my orders, I turn to Elena, examining the bruises forming on her neck, the cuts on her arms. "You could have been killed," I said, my voice trembling.

Her eyes meet mine, fierce and unapologetic. "So could you. But we weren't."

“You are fucking crazy,” I exhale, pulling her closer, holding her close and feeling her heart race against mine.

An hour later, the Commission members sit in a semicircle, facing Massimo Caruso, who is now conscious and bound to a chair.

Elena stands beside me, gripping my hand tightly.

I present our evidence methodically: video footage of Massimo poisoning Don Greco, medical reports confirming the synthetic toxin, financial records showing bribes to the compromised members, and Julian's testimony detailing Massimo's plan to eliminate the entire commission.

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