Chapter 10 - The Queen of Chicago
Nikolai moved faster than Julian could ever react, crossing the room and disarming his brother with a brutal, bone-shattering strike.
Julian collapsed to the marble floor, screaming in agony as Nikolai pinned him down with a heavy boot against his throat.
The terrified council members scrambled to the edges of the room, watching in absolute shock as the true king reclaimed his throne.
I lowered my smoking weapon, my hands perfectly steady as I walked slowly to stand beside my husband.
Nikolai looked down at his broken, pathetic brother, his eyes entirely devoid of mercy or familial love.
"You stole from the family, you betrayed my men, and you tried to murder my wife," Nikolai stated, his voice echoing like thunder.
The oldest council member stepped forward, straightening his ruined suit with trembling, aged hands.
"The law of our family requires you to execute him, Nikolai, to prove you are strong enough to lead us."
Julian whimpered pathetically on the floor, pleading for his life with tears streaming down his bruised face.
I looked at Nikolai, knowing that executing his own flesh and blood in cold blood would destroy a small piece of his soul forever.
"No," Nikolai declared firmly, stepping back and pulling his heavy boot off his brother's throat.
The council gasped collectively in shock, murmuring nervously about weakness and tradition.
"I am the undisputed head of this family, and I make the laws now," Nikolai announced, his presence dominating the entire massive hall.
"Julian is stripped of the Moretti name, his wealth is confiscated, and he is permanently exiled from this city."
He looked directly at the terrified elders.
"If anyone questions my authority again, they will answer directly to me."
The council members immediately bowed their heads in total submission, accepting his absolute authority without another word.
Julian was dragged away by the loyal guards, crying and begging as he was thrown out of the empire he desperately tried to steal.
Later that night, the compound was finally quiet, the blood washed away, and our enemies completely vanquished.
Nikolai found me standing on the master bedroom balcony, looking out over the glittering, beautiful skyline of Chicago.
He wrapped his strong arms around my waist from behind, pressing a soft, warm kiss to my bare shoulder.
"You were incredible today, Evelyn," he whispered, his voice vibrating deeply against my skin.
"I had a very good teacher," I smiled, turning around and wrapping my arms securely around his neck.
We finally shared a real, passionate kiss, a promise of a future built on absolute loyalty, power, and genuine, unbreakable love.
Our fake marriage had become the truest thing in my entire life, and we were finally completely happy and safe.
The next morning, I woke up wrapped securely in his arms, feeling entirely at peace for the first time in my life.
I smiled and rolled over to check the time, noticing a small, unfamiliar black velvet box resting perfectly on my pillow.
I carefully opened the box, finding a perfectly preserved white rose inside, its delicate petals stained with fresh, dark blood.
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Beneath the flower was a handwritten note bearing the unmistakable, terrifying wax seal of the Volkov Russian syndicate.
The elegant, sharp handwriting read, "Did you really think the Morettis were the only monsters in your bloodline, my sweet daughter?"
