Page 34 of Crimson Reign

Instead, it feels like purpose.

11

Elena

TheBellantiestateshinesunder the evening sky.

I smooth down my silky emerald dress—a gift from Matteo.

Three weeks have passed since I put three bullets in Massimo Caruso's chest.

Three weeks since the Commission elevated the Bellanti family to unprecedented heights.

Three weeks of attempting to process what my life has become.

Fiona squirms in my arms, her little hands reaching for the sparkling chandelier above us.

"Beautiful, right?," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her dark curls.

The Caruso empire has fallen completely. Matteo's men were thorough in their dismantling of Massimo's organization.

Those who served him loyally now occupy cells in a special prison facility—a place from which there is no escape.

They redistributed those who only followed orders to various families and are now strictly monitoring their loyalty.

"Elena!" Luca Bellanti's voice booms across the room as we enter the main reception hall. He strides toward us, his silver hair gleaming under the chandeliers.

"Don Bellanti," I greet him with deference.

He waves away the formality. "None of that tonight. This is a celebration!" He reaches out to gently chuck Fiona under the chin. "And how is my favorite little principessa?"

Fiona hides her face against my shoulder, peeking out with one shy eye.

Luca straightens. "Matteo is with the Calabrese brothers in the study. Business before pleasure, unfortunately. But he should join us shortly."

"In the meantime," he continues, offering his arm, "allow me to introduce you to some people who are keen to meet the woman who put three perfect shots in Massimo Caruso's heart."

For the next hour, I walk through a sea of power players in the syndicate. Capos with weathered faces and calculating eyes. Their elegantly dressed wives with diamond-hard gazes. Business associates whose handshakes linger too long.

Through it all, I maintain the delicate balance of deference and dignity that my position requires.

When Fiona grows restless, Isabella appears, offering to take her to the nursery where Adrian is. I smile and hand her over.

With Fiona upstairs, I scan the room for Matteo, who's been absent for over an hour.

"He won't be much longer," a voice says from behind me.

I turn to see Lorenzo, the family’s enforcer. With everything that has happened, we haven’t had time to speak to each other.

He shares Matteo’s strong jawline and sharp gaze, although his eyes are green. His hair is slicked back in a man bun, revealing the tattoos that sneak up to his neck.

“Oh, hi. I don’t think we’ve properly introduced ourselves.”

He smirks, his gaze assessing but not unfriendly. “We both know each other and you've made quite an impression on my family."

"I didn't intend to," I say honestly.

"No, I don't imagine you did. That's what makes it interesting." Lorenzo studies me over his champagne.

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