Chapter 17 - the king's defiance
The cinematic tension in the opulent ballroom was entirely suffocating. The music seemed to fade into a dead, terrifying silence.
Dante’s dark eyes turned to absolute, freezing ice. The mere suggestion that he would ever surrender Elena after tearing the city apart to get her back was a catastrophic, suicidal insult.
He stepped slightly in front of his wife, forming a massive, highly protective, and lethal physical barrier between her and the legendary boss.
"Don Salvatore," Dante said, his voice dropping into a low, vibrating, demonic growl that carried terrifying, absolute authority. "With all due respect to the national commission, they are completely delusional."
Salvatore’s eyes narrowed. "Defying the commission is a direct act of war, Dante. You will face the combined, crushing might of five families."
"The Rossi family is ashes," Dante stated coldly. "I do not negotiate with ashes, and I will absolutely never trade my wife for a fragile, cowardly peace."
Elena didn't cower behind her husband's broad shoulders. She placed a gentle, steady hand on Dante’s arm and stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the apex predator.
"Tell the commission," Elena stated flawlessly, her voice echoing with the exact same unyielding, terrifying strength as the mafia boss. "That Chicago does not bow. We stand together, or we burn together."
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Salvatore stared at the untouchable couple, his calculating eyes analyzing their unbreakable, fierce bond. A slow, highly respectful smile touched his weathered lips. He nodded slowly, turning to leave. The war was officially on.
👉 read part 18 to see the fortress prepare for battle.
