Chapter 16 - The Devil's Bargain
I waited until the entire cabin was deeply asleep at three in the morning.
I packed a small bag, slipped Dante's spare pistol into my jacket pocket, and disabled the rear security alarm.
I walked out into the freezing blizzard, leaving a letter on Ricardo's pillow explaining my impossible choice.
I stole one of the armored SUVs and drove for hours through the dangerous, icy roads back to the city.
I arrived at the abandoned Brooklyn shipping yard just as the dark, gray sun began to rise.
The massive, rusting cargo containers formed a terrifying, silent labyrinth.
Suddenly, five heavily armed cartel mercenaries stepped out of the shadows, aiming their rifles at my chest.
They aggressively stripped me of my hidden weapon and escorted me deep into the yard.
Standing in the center of the yard was a tall, incredibly handsome man in a tailored overcoat.
He did not look like a brutal warlord.
He looked exactly like an older, darker version of myself.
"Clara," Alejandro smiled, opening his arms warmly.
I stopped ten feet away from him, my face entirely devoid of emotion.
"Call off the snipers," I demanded coldly.
Alejandro nodded at his lieutenant, who immediately spoke a command into a radio.
"You are so much like your mother," Alejandro sighed, lowering his arms.
"Fierce, stubborn, and completely willing to sacrifice yourself for others."
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, refusing to show any fear.
"Because the Commission is weak and corrupt," he replied smoothly.
"They banished me, stole my daughter, and tried to erase my legacy."
"With you sitting on the throne, the Vargas cartel and the Italian mafia will completely merge."
"We will be absolutely unstoppable."
Before I could answer, a younger man stepped out from behind a cargo container.
He had wild, dangerous eyes and a cruel smirk playing on his lips.
"This is the girl?" the young man sneered, looking me up and down with deep disgust.
"She looks like a weak, pathetic civilian."
"Clara, meet your half-brother, Mateo," Alejandro introduced smoothly.
Mateo stepped forward and slapped me violently across the face.
I tasted fresh blood, but I completely refused to fall down.
I glared fiercely at Mateo, my Rossi blood boiling with absolute rage.
"Hit me again, and I will break your hand," I promised softly.
Alejandro threw his head back and laughed loudly, genuinely delighted by my violent defiance.
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"She is definitely a Vargas," Alejandro smiled.
"Welcome home, Clara."
