Chapter 6 - Crimson Trails
Valerio choked, his legs dangling inches off the floor as Alessandro’s grip tightened. His face turned a deep, bruised purple.
"A-Alessandro..." Valerio gasped, his eyes bulging with sheer, unadulterated terror. "You... you're not sick..."
"I have never been better," Alessandro whispered.
With a brutal heave, he threw Valerio onto the floor. Valerio collapsed in a heap, coughing and clutching his throat, looking up at his cousin as if staring at the devil himself.
The drawing room doors slammed shut. Marco and three heavily armed guards stepped inside, blocking every exit.
"You thought you were clever, Valerio," Alessandro said, stepping over the shattered porcelain on the floor. He didn't care about the mess. His eyes were locked on his cousin. "You partnered with the Hungarian Varga faction. You promised them the Palermo ports in exchange for a little vial of poison. You even used a desperate maid to do your dirty work."
"No... no, it's a lie!" Valerio shrieked, backing away on his hands and knees until his back hit the wall. "You have no proof!"
Alessandro pulled his phone from his pocket and pressed a button. Clara’s recorded confession filled the room, her terrified voice detailing every meeting, every threat, and the exact description of the man with the black feather tattoo—Valerio's chief lieutenant.
Valerio’s face drained of all color. He looked like a corpse.
"The Vargas think I am dead," Alessandro said coldly. "And they are expecting you to finalize the transfer of the shipping docks tonight at the harbor warehouse. Isn't that right?"
Valerio didn't answer. He was shaking too hard.
Alessandro turned to Marco. "Prepare the cars. We are going to the docks. Valerio is going to host a meeting."
"What about the girl and the child, boss?" Marco asked, glancing at Sophia and Emma, who were huddled in the corner.
May you like
Alessandro walked over to them. He looked down at Emma, who was staring up at him with wide, curious eyes. He knelt down, picked up her fallen grey rabbit, and gently dusted it off before handing it back to her.
"Keep them in my private quarters," Alessandro commanded. "Double the guard outside their door. If so much as a shadow comes near them, kill it."
