ILIO'

ce tight with the weight of his decision. His eyes never left Dant

, clearly enjoying the tension in the room. He lifted the black co

they danced across the screen. He need

m was silent for a moment as Ramon's shoe echoe

d over the low hum of the room. "Ramon," he whispered, his words sharp and heavy wi

ce low and measured. "You don't have to lower yourself to Dante's game, Emilio," Ramon said. "You don't n

made sense. He didn't have to get caught in the muck of this

I won't fight like a dog, Dante," he said, his voice cold and clear. "But I'll have my men do the fighting." Da

" he said, his voice calm but firm. "You can try to control the situation, but don't

don't make your decisions by yourself, Emilio. You've got peop

u're just a puppet with a nice name." Emilio's stomach tighten

nte's smug face was

ante," Emilio said through gritted teeth. His voice was cold, and controlled, but the anger steamin

n it. "Sure, Emilio," he said, his voice low and

lling the strings." Emilio's heart rac

e was defending everything he'd built. His

him. The words stung, but Emilio r

o control his emotions. "You think you know me, Dan

're not as independent as you think." Emilio's mind raced, but

s." Dante leaned back in his chai

was clear in the way his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Da

rt raced. Every part of him wanted to attack, to show Dante that he was wrong, bu

ng through his mind. He stood to leave as Dante called

u can just decide everything?" he spat. Dante's smirk never swayed. "

who comes out on top." He turned and w

e, but Emilio wouldn't back down

ir thickening with every step. His mind raced, but one thought lingered: What i

ision pressing down on him with every f

y's power. As they reached the door

eling he couldn't shake. What if his men weren't str

e silence, smooth and confident, like a shadow following

s spine. The door clicked shut behind them, but Dante's