Chapter 10 - The Fall of Donati
A shot rang out through the vast hall.
But it wasn't Leo’s gun that had fired.
Marco Rossi stepped out from the upper catwalk, his sniper rifle still smoking.
Leo Donati froze. A small, neat bullet hole appeared in the center of his forehead. He dropped his gun, his eyes rolling back, and collapsed dead onto the concrete floor.
Isabella let out a blood-curdling shriek of horror, falling to her knees beside her father’s corpse. "Papa! Papa!"
Victor gently pulled Chloe behind him, keeping his body between her and the remaining threats. He turned to look down at Isabella Donati.
Isabella looked up at Victor, her face covered in tears and mascara, her body shaking hysterically. "Please... please don't kill me, Victor! Please!"
Victor looked at her with utter coldness.
"I don't kill women," Victor stated softly. "But your family’s reign in Chicago ends tonight. Marco will escort you to the airport. You have two hours to leave the country. If you ever return to this city, I will personally ensure you end up at the bottom of Lake Michigan."
Isabella nodded frantically, weeping as Marco’s men dragged her away from her father’s body.
Victor turned back to Chloe. He reached out and gently wiped the smear of blood from her cracked lip with his thumb.
"I'm sorry I was late," Victor whispered, his eyes filled with profound regret.
Chloe shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You came for me. You came through hell for me."
"I told you," Victor murmured, lifting her effortlessly into his broad arms, holding her close against his beating chest. "I don't lose what's mine."
He carried her out of the ruined slaughterhouse into the cold Chicago night. Outside, dozens of black Russo vehicles lined the streets, their red and blue lights flashing against the snow.
Marco stepped forward, lighting a cigarette as he looked at Victor holding the maid in his arms.
"Donati's territory is ours, Boss," Marco reported. "The other family heads are already calling to swear loyalty to the Russo name. You own the entire city now."
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Victor looked at the city skyline glowing in the distance, then down at Chloe, who had rested her head against his shoulder, her small hand clutching his lapel.
"I don't care about the city, Marco," Victor said quietly. "Take us home."
