Chapter 9 - The Banishment
The heavy mahogany service doors slammed shut, swallowing Marcus’s desperate, pathetic cries for mercy. He was being delivered straight to the rival cartel with nothing but the clothes on his back, a guaranteed death sentence for his treacherous greed.
The threat was completely, permanently neutralized.
Dante took a slow, heavy breath. He adjusted his dark, unbuttoned dress shirt and turned back to face the two hundred confused high-society guests.
"My apologies for the delay, ladies and gentlemen," Dante smiled, seamlessly slipping back into the role of the charming, untouchable billionaire. "Marcus had too much champagne and became ill. Please, enjoy the music. Dinner will be served shortly."
The string quartet immediately began playing a lively, elegant symphony. The wealthy politicians and businessmen relaxed, entirely unaware that they had been inches away from a fiery death just minutes ago.
Dante didn't stay to mingle. He bypassed the mayors and the investors, walking directly toward the back hallways of the luxury ballroom.
He pushed through the swinging doors into the massive catering kitchen.
Standing in the corner, holding onto her mother’s grey uniform apron, was tiny Sophie. The five-year-old girl in the pinned yellow dress looked up, her brown eyes still wide with lingering fear.
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Dante didn't approach her with his towering height. Once again, the terrifying apex predator of the city dropped immediately to his knees on the hard tile floor, bringing himself down to her level.
👉 Dante looked at the little girl who had saved his empire, and his next command would completely alter her destiny.
