Chapter 20 - The Queen of the Underworld
The deafening wail of police sirens echoed loudly from the city streets seventy stories below them.
Adrian stood completely silently at the edge of the roof, watching the flashing red and blue lights swarm the block.
He was bleeding heavily from his neck and chest, but his posture was straighter and more terrifying than ever before.
Clara walked up slowly beside him, lowering her weapon as the freezing rain soaked through her tactical gear.
Titan trotted out onto the helipad, shaking the water from his black coat before sitting loyally between them.
"The police are going to breach the lobby in less than two minutes," Clara stated calmly, showing no signs of panic.
"Then we will take the maintenance elevator down to the subway tunnels and vanish into the ghosts of this city," Adrian replied smoothly.
He turned to look at her, the cold, ruthless mafia boss completely replaced by a man who finally recognized his equal.
"You are no longer a nurse, and you are definitely no longer a pawn," Adrian said, his voice carrying immense respect.
"My father's empire is dead, and so is his corrupted legacy," Clara replied, looking out over the glowing city skyline.
Adrian reached out and gently placed his heavy, blood-stained hand on her shoulder.
"The Castellano empire is fully restored tonight, Clara, but I cannot run it alone anymore."
He looked deeply into her eyes, offering her the one thing her father had violently stolen from her.
"I need an Underboss who is entirely unafraid to cut the throat of the devil himself."
Clara looked at the massive, bleeding man who had started the night as her sworn enemy and ended it as her only trusted ally.
She smiled a dark, beautiful, and highly dangerous smile that promised absolute terror to anyone who crossed them.
"I accept your offer, Boss," Clara whispered into the freezing night air.
May you like
They turned their backs on the wailing sirens and walked slowly together into the shadows of the concrete stairwell.
The city had a new king, but more importantly, it had finally crowned its most ruthless queen.
