Chapter 10 - The shadow of the crown
Vincent read the final message on the glowing screen of the tablet. The text was short, cold, and undeniably threatening.
The boy is progressing perfectly. When you remove Vincent, the boy will be the perfect puppet for the Commission to control. Do not fail, Celeste, or we will take the boy ourselves.
Vincent handed the tablet back to Miller, his jaw clenched tight. The cinematic peace of the snowy afternoon suddenly felt fragile. Celeste had been a traitor, but she was a loud, arrogant traitor. The true threat was hidden in the shadows, sitting at the very table Vincent had sworn to protect. The Commission—the ruling body of the five families—had sanctioned the kidnapping of his son. They wanted a controllable sociopath to replace a legendary king.
Who sent the messages? Vincent asked, his voice returning to the terrifying, composed rumble that made men tremble.
Miller shook his head. The encryption bounced through a dozen proxy servers. It's untraceable. But it carries the digital watermark of a Commission boss. Someone at the very top wanted you gone, Vincent. And they still want the boy.
Vincent looked back out the window. Julian was helping Noelle build a snowman, his small hands carefully packing the freezing snow. He looked happy. He looked like a child. Vincent was not going to let anyone take that away from him again.
Double the guard on the children, Vincent ordered. No one gets in or out of this estate without my direct approval. I want background checks run on every single capo, every lieutenant, and every boss sitting on the Commission. Look for sudden spikes in wealth, unusual travel patterns, anything.
Boss, if you go after the Commission without proof, it's open war, Miller warned, his American accent heavy with concern. All five families will turn against us.
Let them, Vincent said, his broad shoulders squaring as he looked out at his winter kingdom. I am Vincent Caruso. They thought they could steal my blood and use it against me. They thought I was getting soft.
He turned away from the window, his eyes burning with a dangerous, masculine fire. Call a meeting of the Commission. Tell them I am hosting a New Year's Eve gala right here at the estate. Tell them it is mandatory.
You're inviting them into your home? Miller asked, shocked.
Vincent walked over to his desk and picked up the small, silver pocket watch Julian had left on the mahogany surface. He popped it open, looking at the intricate gears ticking perfectly inside.
They wanted to control the heir, Vincent said softly, snapping the watch shut. I am going to put my son at the head of the table. I am going to watch their faces when they realize their puppet is standing by my side. The traitor will panic. They will make a mistake. And when they do...
Vincent looked up at Miller, the legendary Mafia boss fully awakened.
I will burn the Commission to the ground.
Outside, the winter wind began to howl again, blowing fresh snow across the courtyard. The bright Christmas lights flickered in the cold. Julian stopped building the snowman. He stood up slowly, looking past the iron gates of the estate, into the dark tree line of the forest.
Noelle noticed him staring. What is it, Julian? she asked, her rosy cheeks bright in the cold.
Julian narrowed his dark eyes, scanning the shadows between the snow-covered pines. For a brief second, he thought he saw the flash of a silver sedan parked in the distance, watching them.
It is nothing, Noelle, Julian said, turning back to his sister with a small, protective smile. Just the cold.
May you like
But as the children walked back toward the warmth of the mansion, Julian slipped his hand into his coat pocket, his fingers wrapping tightly around a heavy iron key. He knew the war wasn't over. He knew the true enemy was still out there in the snow. And this time, he was ready to fight for his father.
The heavy glass doors closed behind them, locking the winter out, leaving the story of the Caruso empire resting on the threshold of an incoming storm.
