Chapter 9 - The Betrayal
Vincenzo took a slow, arrogant sip of his expensive scotch, his dark eyes sparkling with malicious amusement.
"I honestly have to commend you, brother, you fought like an absolute demon to get down here into my final trap."
He casually kicked a heavy duffel bag full of cash across the floor, explaining that it was the payout for the corrupt police currently tearing the building apart.
Salvatore slowly stepped into the room, instinctively shifting his body to completely shield Giana and Maria from Vincenzo's line of sight.
"You destroyed a thirty-year brotherhood for a temporary seat at a crumbling table," Salvatore said, his voice laced with cold, absolute disappointment.
Vincenzo laughed bitterly, standing up from the leather chair and angrily pacing the length of the reinforced room.
"You became weak the day Rosa died, Sal, trying to turn a violent empire into a legitimate, charitable business while the rest of us starved for real power."
He sneered at the worn black coat Salvatore wore, calling him a pathetic ghost who was too obsessed with his dead wife to rule the city properly.
Giana peeked out from behind her father's leg, her large, innocent eyes staring at the angry man with the gun.
"Daddy, is that the bad man who ruined mommy's birthday?" the little girl asked, her voice echoing loudly in the quiet vault.
Vincenzo's face contorted with dark fury, and he slowly shifted the aim of his suppressed pistol directly toward the child.
"It is time to permanently end the Marchetti bloodline and let a real king take the throne," Vincenzo snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger.
Salvatore tensed every muscle in his body, preparing to throw himself directly in front of the bullet to save his daughter.
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Suddenly, a bright, piercing red laser dot appeared perfectly in the center of Vincenzo's forehead.
A massive, heavy steel ventilation grate violently crashed down from the ceiling directly behind the traitor.
