Chapter 16 - Into the Lion's Den
Captain Rossi was dragged into the rain-soaked courtyard, his hands bound behind his back with heavy plastic ties.
The entire estate guard was assembled in a massive circle, completely silent as they watched the traitor fall to his knees.
Lightning flashed across the dark sky, illuminating the sheer terror on Rossi’s weathered face.
Arthur stood on the stone steps of the estate, the heavy rain instantly soaking his white dress shirt.
Clara stood right beside him, shivering slightly under the cover of a large black umbrella held by a guard.
She refused to look away, knowing that the men needed to see their queen face the harsh reality of their world.
“Boss, please, let me explain!” Rossi begged, coughing up rainwater as he looked up at Arthur.
“Volkov offered me peace!”
“He said if I gave him you, he would spare the rest of the family!”
Arthur walked slowly down the stone steps, his heavy leather shoes splashing in the muddy puddles.
He stopped directly in front of the kneeling captain, looking down at him with absolute, unyielding disgust.
“You have been with this family for twenty years, Rossi,” Arthur stated softly, the rain masking the tremor of betrayal in his voice.
“And you sold my life for a promise from a Russian ghost.”
Arthur drew his heavy pistol from his shoulder holster, the metallic click of the safety echoing like a gunshot itself.
Before Arthur could raise the weapon, Clara stepped out from beneath the umbrella and walked out into the pouring rain.
She placed her hand gently over Arthur’s wrist, lowering his weapon toward the ground.
The entire courtyard collectively held its breath, shocked that anyone dared to interrupt the boss during an execution.
“He didn't just betray you, Arthur,” Clara said loudly, ensuring every man in the circle heard her clearly.
“He betrayed the family, and he brought a poisoner into a room where I was standing.”
Arthur looked at her, his dark eyes searching her wet face, trying to understand what she was asking of him.
Clara reached into his holster, her small fingers wrapping around the cold grip of his secondary weapon, a compact silver revolver.
She pulled it out, her hands surprisingly steady despite the freezing rain and the gravity of the moment.
“A queen does not hide behind her king when someone tries to take her crown,” Clara whispered to him.
Arthur took a slow step back, his chest swelling with a terrifying mixture of shock, awe, and twisted pride.
Clara turned to Rossi, raising the silver revolver and pointing it directly at the center of his forehead.
“Wait, please—” Rossi screamed.
Clara pulled the trigger.
The gunshot deafened the courtyard, and the traitor collapsed dead into the mud.
Clara lowered the weapon, her hands shaking violently now that the adrenaline was crashing.
Arthur pulled her instantly against his chest, wrapping his arms around her to shield her from the rain and the eyes of his men.
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The men bowed their heads in unison.
The maid was dead, and the mafia queen had truly been born in blood.
