Chapter 9 - The Devil's Bargain
"Wait!" The voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs. Camilla emerged from the smoke, limping heavily, blood staining her silk dress. In her hand, she held the yellowed envelope—the forged document that started the night’s nightmare. Lorenzo paused, glancing down at her. "Camilla. I see you survived Marco's incompetence." "I have the contract, Lorenzo," she yelled, holding the paper up. "The one with the Romano seal. The one that legally transfers the shipping ports and the offshore accounts to you upon Alessandro's death. It's the only copy. Without this, the commission will never recognize your claim to the territory. They'll say you stole it." Lorenzo's eyes narrowed. He knew she was right. In the rigid structure of the Mafia Commission, violent takeovers without just cause or a signed transition treaty would result in a massive war with the other five families. He needed that paper. "Bring it here," Lorenzo demanded. Camilla took a step forward, then stopped. "Let the girl go first. Hand her to Domenico." Domenico stared at Camilla, completely stunned. The woman who had ruined his life, who had plotted his downfall, was risking her life to save his daughter. "You're in no position to negotiate, widow," Lorenzo growled. "I'll burn it," Camilla snapped, pulling a gold lighter from her clutch. She flicked it open, the small flame illuminating her desperate face. She held the ancient, dry paper inches from the fire. "I will burn it to ash right now, Lorenzo. Hand him the child, or you get nothing." The standoff dragged on for three agonizing seconds. Finally, Lorenzo scoffed. He shoved Sofia forward. The toddler stumbled, crying hysterically, and ran straight into Domenico's waiting arms. Domenico scooped her up, burying her face in his chest, wrapping his body around hers like a human shield. "The paper," Lorenzo demanded. Camilla threw the envelope across the landing. Lorenzo bent down to retrieve it. It was the distraction Domenico needed. From his ankle holster, Domenico pulled a hidden combat knife. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the blade with terrifying speed. It buried itself deep into Lorenzo's throat. The cartel boss dropped the paper, his hands flying to his neck, blood spraying across the hallway. His guards raised their weapons, but Enzo had already grabbed his dropped gun from the floor. A flurry of gunshots erupted in the corridor. When the smoke cleared, Lorenzo and his men were dead on the floor. Domenico stood up, holding Sofia tightly. He looked at Camilla. She was leaning against the wall, clutching her stomach. A stray bullet had caught her in the crossfire. She slid slowly to the floor, her eyes meeting Domenico's.
