ien

faint whir of its electric motor. Every eye was on me. The air was t

locked

of her own making. The dirt on her dress was a badge of h

sn't a

brittle. I studied her, trying to peel back the layers of this audacious performance. The sharp

rever, Don Valachi," she said, her tone light, co

from disuse. "Chairman Constantine found you an excell

signed by my so-called brother Constantine to gauge my r

was life, Don. And it taught me that if you want something

her. This game would b

rembling priest who had be

cred words in a profane setting. The priest stumbled over t

ctly at me, her eyes glinting. "I do," she said, her vo

t was unm

applause. Just a hea

e Signora to the master suite,"

ide, a prisoner in h

led luxury. But her presence had already changed the room's dynamic. She stood by the window,

was no

ruck stood beside her. He was dressed as a waiter,

asked, my voice

, Eddie," she replied

," I sai

to me, his jaw set. "My apologies, Don. My duty is to the

his was a direct challenge to my author

est of my wheelchair. The silenced pistol felt cool and familiar in my h

weapon in a smooth

turned

," I said, my voice a dead c

His loyalty was absolute. His eyes wer

Would she sacrifice he

ked slowly, deliberately, until she was standing directl

my pistol, her gaze meeting

" she said, her voice low and laced with ste