Chapter 12 - The Price of a QueenThe silence in the foyer was absolute. Even the grandfather clock seemed to hold its breath.
Dante’s hand tightened on his holster. The air grew thick with the unmistakable scent of impending bloodshed. If Dante drew his weapon now, it meant open war against the entire Italian-American syndicate—a war no one walked away from.
Before Dante could speak, Claire descended the stairs.
She didn't run. She didn't cower. She walked down those marble steps with the absolute, unshakable confidence of a woman who had faced eviction notices, bank rejections, and rogue mercenaries and won every single time.
She stepped right between Dante and Donato, turning to face the elder with a calm, chilling smile.
"Let’s get one thing straight, Mr. Donato," Claire said, her voice ringing clear and sharp through the cavernous hall. "I’m not a nanny anymore. And I’m certainly not an employee you can audit."
Donato frowned, his bushy white eyebrows knitting together in outrage. "Insolent little—"
"Save it," Claire interrupted smoothly. "You talk about charters and rules from your gilded towers, while men like Vance try to slaughter children in their own home. Where was the Commission when the boys needed protection? Drinking espresso in Manhattan?"
Donato raised his cane, pointing the silver head directly at her chest. "You are trespassing in a world of wolves, civilian. You will pack your bags and leave within the hour, or you will leave in a body bag."
Before Donato’s finger could twitch, Dante moved.
In a fraction of a second, Dante crossed the floor, his hand gripping Donato’s wrist with bone-crushing force, forcing the cane down. The mafia king’s eyes burned with a terrifying, unearthly fury.
"Touch her," Dante whispered, his voice dangerously low, "and I will burn the entire Commission to ash before nightfall."
Donato gasped, his face paling as he looked into the eyes of a man who had nothing left to lose—and everything left to protect.
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Claire reached out, gently placing her hand over Dante’s clenched fist, breaking his lethal focus. She looked back at Donato, her smile bright and dangerous.
"Tell the Commission this," Claire said softly. "The Rinaldi estate is under new management. If they want to challenge us, they can send their best. But bring extra pancakes—we like target practice."
