Page 77 of His Queen

I level my gun at his head, the cold metal reflecting the dim light as I take a step closer. My heart races, a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through me. “Any last words?” I ask, my voice tinged with a touch of satisfaction.

“You will never get away with this. This isn’t over.” His defiance only fuels my determination.

“No, you are wrong. It is over. I have waited a long time for this. And now I can finally have the revenge I deserve. You do not know how much I have wanted this. How badly I’ve wanted to kill you.” The room seems to hold its breath as the words hang in the air.

“Well, Rose, go ahead. Shoot me.” His challenge hangs between us, his arrogance clear.

A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. He thinks he’s in control. That I can’t bring myself to end his life. But he’s wrong. I can and I will.

"Gladly."

I tighten my grip on the trigger, feeling the cold metal beneath my fingertips. The deafening blast fills the air, followed by the sickening splatter of his brains, painting the back of his chair in a grotesque display. Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, a weight lifted from my shoulders. I lean down, my eyes locked on his lifeless face, a twisted smile playing on my lips. “That was for me,” I whisper, the words carried by the stillness of the room.

Aldo, ever loyal, takes a step forward, his presence a comfort in this moment of triumph. “Now, let us negotiate with the families. No more bloodshed is necessary.” Demetrius, always smirking, meets my gaze and nods. “My men are already here, awaiting your command.”

Vlad, my rock, pulls me close, his strong arms enveloping me. “You have shown immense strength, my queen,” he murmurs, his voice a soothing balm. “I am proud of you, more than words can express.”

I nod, grateful for his praise, but my focus remains unwavering. “Thank you, Vlad, but our work is not yet done.” I brace myself for the challenges that lie ahead, knowing that this night will be a test of our resolve. The first meeting with the men looms, a storm on the horizon. I can feel the tension, the weight of their expectations. I can only hope that Aldo, my ally, remains steadfast by our side. His support will be crucial in the battles to come.

This announcement will shape the course of our takeover. The men’s agreement will determine the ease or difficulty of our path. If they stand with us, if they understand the necessity of our actions, it will pave the way for a smoother transition.

Chapter 47

Rose

Igatheredtheentirefamily, their faces tense with anticipation. They filled the courtyard with the murmur of whispered conversations and the faint scent of nervous perspiration. I needed to address all the men and leaders, their eyes fixed on me, searching for reassurance. This was the moment I had been working towards, the culmination of relentless effort. I never aspired to take my father’s place, but his push left me no choice.

Now, as I stood before them, I could only hope for their support. The weight of his demise hung heavy in the air, threatening to tear our city apart. All the men and leaders were there, accompanied by their trusted seconds and a few others. I stood in my dress; the fabric clinging to my body, a bulletproof vest providing a shield of protection. My disheveled hair told the story of the chaos that had unfolded, perhaps with blood splatters as evidence of my proximity, when I pulled the trigger.

The scent of iron lingered, a stark reminder of the violence that had consumed us. In the midst of it all, I had no time to clean the blood off me; there was simply too much going on.

As I address the gathering, the sun beats down on the compound’s yard, casting shadows on the faces of the men in front of me. I sense their unease as their eyes shift nervously towards the ground. Seeking support, I glance at Vlad, who nods reassuringly and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

With a pause, I continue, recounting the horrors I endured after being sold to a monster by my own father. The weight of the past lingers in the air, and I can almost taste the bitterness of those memories. But now, he is dead, paying for his heinous crimes against countless women, including myself.

Asserting my position, I declare that there is a new era upon us, and it starts now. My father’s reign is over, and the Vinci family’s power will no longer exist. The time for change has come, and I refuse to tolerate the mistreatment and abuse of women any longer.

Raising my gun, I brandish it in the air, a stark symbol of authority. The shock and confusion in the crowd are palpable, their murmurs creating a low hum in the atmosphere.

Challenged by one of the underbosses, I lock eyes with him, recognizing him from his frequent presence around the house. His skepticism hangs in the air, mingling with the faint scent of cigarette smoke.

“Although I am a woman, I have the support of the most influential men. Demetrius and the Bratva stand by me as our allies, and I plan to bring the families together through marriage. The Pakhan’s brother, who also serves as his second in command, will be my future husband, and we will rule together as one.”

The courtyard grows tense as my words hang in the air. The low rumble of hushed conversations fills the space, intermingling with the subtle scent of cigar smoke. The dimly lit room casts long shadows across the faces of the powerful men gathered before me.

Their expressions reveal a mix of surprise, disbelief, and veiled anger. Eyes narrow, jaws tighten, and fists clench as the weight of my audacious plan sinks in. The air crackles with tension, as if a storm is brewing within the walls.

I feel the weight of their scrutiny, their piercing gazes analyzing every word, every nuance of my confident stance. It’s a test, a challenge to prove my worthiness, to prove that a woman can hold her ground in this male-dominated world.

But I stand undeterred, my resolve unyielding. I know the risks, the doubts that linger in their minds. Yet, I am determined to forge a path where alliances are formed and power is merged through unity.

I meet their anger with a calm and steady gaze, refusing to be intimidated. In their eyes, I see the flicker of doubt slowly giving way to curiosity. They recognize the audacity of my proposition, the potential it holds for strengthening our collective power.

As the silence stretches on, I can almost taste the anticipation in the air. The men, once simmering with anger, now teeter on the precipice of acceptance. It is in this moment, amidst the swirling emotions, that the fate of our families rests.

I wait, poised and unyielding, for their response.

"Where is Aldo? Why would we trust your words? Aldo has been the second in command for years. We can trust him. Why isn't he taking over instead of a woman? A woman that is so worthless, her own father sold her."

---