Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Sirens wailed in the distance, echoing loudly across the massive estate.
Elias remained perfectly calm, his mind calculating the trap he had just walked into.
"They want to arrest me and seize the syndicate while I am in custody," Elias stated.
Maeve grabbed his arm, refusing to let him be taken away for a crime he didn't commit.
"I know the Ashford estate better than anyone," Maeve said fiercely.
"Margaret has a hidden security server in the basement that records everything in that study."
Elias looked at her with intense pride and kissed her forehead.
He quickly ordered Gabriel and a tactical team to raid the Ashford basement immediately.
They stalled the corrupt police at the front gates just long enough for Gabriel to return.
Gabriel handed a digital hard drive directly to the lead detective.
The footage clearly showed a rival mob boss executing Margaret and planting Elias's gun.
The police were forced to apologize and immediately leave the property.
Elias and Maeve stood on the balcony, watching the flashing red and blue lights drive away into the night.
Elias wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.
"You just saved my empire, Mrs. Marchetti," Elias whispered lovingly.
They shared a passionate, victorious kiss under the moonlight.
The war with the Ashfords was officially over, and their future was finally secure.
Later that night, Maeve quietly slipped out of bed to get a glass of water from the kitchen.
The house was dark and completely silent.
As she turned the corner into the hallway, she saw a shadow moving near the study.
It was Gabriel, holding a silenced pistol in his right hand.
Before Maeve could speak, Gabriel raised the weapon and shot Elias's most loyal bodyguard perfectly in the back of the head.
The heavy body hit the floor with a sickening thud.
Maeve clamped a hand over her own mouth to trap her scream.
Gabriel slowly turned around and locked eyes with her in the dark.
He offered her a cold, terrifying smile that sent ice directly into her veins.
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"Margaret was right," Gabriel whispered into the silence.
"You really were the perfect distraction for the Russian syndicate to finally take over."
