~ELENA~

“I'll take the throne,” Vincenzo declares.

The words hang heavy.

Riccardo nods once. “Long live the new Mafia Lord.”

Nico bows his head slightly.

I swallow hard.

Vincenzo has taken after his father and I just hope he doesn't turn out to be like his father.

Just then, footsteps thunder down the hallway.

Guards.

Lots of them.

They pour into the room, guns raised, faces tense, until they see the body on the floor.

Murmurs ripple through them.

“Don Romano is…”

“He’s dead,” Riccardo completes it.

Confusion, panic and fear fills the guards.

Then Vincenzo steps forward. Tall. Calm. Deadly.

“Lower your weapons,” he commands.

Some hesitate.

Riccardo raises...