Chapter 10 - The False Peace
Rocco stared at his mild-mannered housekeeper, completely re-evaluating everything he thought he knew about the woman.
Elena calmly wiped the bloody blade on Valentina's ruined silk robe and tucked the knife into her belt.
"She tried to take the baby, Mr. Moretti," Elena explained in a shockingly steady voice.
"I simply did what was necessary to protect your family."
Rocco nodded slowly, a profound sense of respect replacing his initial shock.
"You have proven your loyalty beyond any doubt, Elena," Rocco said sincerely.
He walked over to the small, armored speedboat tied to the dock and checked the ignition.
The newborn baby was sleeping peacefully in a secure carrier on the passenger seat.
Sophia ran to her mother and hugged her tightly.
"The estate is burning, but the traitors are dead," Rocco announced, climbing into the boat.
"We will go to my secure penthouse in the city."
"I will rebuild this empire, and you two will never want for anything ever again."
They sped out of the hidden cavern and onto the dark river, leaving the burning Moretti mansion far behind them.
An hour later, they arrived at a luxurious, heavily fortified penthouse overlooking the city skyline.
Rocco's outer-borough captains were already standing guard at the doors, having received his emergency signals.
The immediate danger had passed, and the empire was secured.
Rocco placed the sleeping baby gently into a lavish crib in the master bedroom.
He poured himself a generous glass of bourbon and took a long, exhausted sip.
He had survived a coup, defeated his treacherous brother, and finally secured his true heir.
It was a perfect, flawless victory.
The heavy steel door of the master bedroom suddenly clicked shut, followed by the sound of the deadbolt locking.
Rocco turned around, a polite smile forming on his tired face.
Elena was standing by the door, but she was no longer holding Sophia's hand.
She was holding a suppressed pistol, and the barrel was aimed directly at the center of Rocco's forehead.
"Valentina and Carlo were arrogant, useful idiots, Rocco," Elena whispered, her accent shifting from submissive maid to flawless, aristocratic Italian.
Rocco froze, his mind racing as he stared down the barrel of the gun.
"Who are you?" Rocco demanded softly.
"I am Isabella's sister," Elena smiled coldly, stepping closer to the crib.
"You let her die on that operating table ten years ago because your business was more important than her life."
She reached down and gently touched the sleeping newborn's cheek.
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"This baby isn't your heir, Rocco," Elena revealed, her eyes burning with a decade of vengeance.
"He is the true heir of the Romanos, the family you slaughtered to build this empire, and tonight, we are finally taking it back."
