Chapter 9 - Midnight ConfessionsThe master suite was a sprawling labyrinth of dark mahogany wood, velvet curtains, and bulletproof floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline of New York. But despite its luxury, it felt like a tomb.
Clara carefully laid Leo down in his custom crib in the adjoining nursery. The boy stirred, let out a soft sigh, and clutched his small plush bear, finally slipping into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Clara wiped a stray tear from her cheek, her adrenaline finally beginning to wear off, leaving behind a crushing wave of exhaustion. She walked back into the main study area where Rico was pouring another glass of scotch.
"He's asleep," Clara said quietly, leaning against the doorframe.
"He hasn't slept like that in six months," Rico said without turning around. He held out a second glass of scotch toward her. When she didn't take it, he set it down on the desk. "You don't drink. Smart."
"I don't have the luxury of numbing my senses," Clara retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Unlike you, I actually have to stay sharp to survive."
Rico finally turned around, leaning back against the edge of the heavy desk. His suit jacket was off, his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar, making him look less like a mythic mob boss and more like a broken man weighed down by too many ghosts.
"You think I like this?" Rico asked, his voice dangerously low. "You think I enjoy waking up every day in a house soaked in blood, wondering if the next cup of coffee is going to be poisoned by the men I trusted like brothers?"
Clara looked at him, caught off guard by the raw vulnerability hiding beneath his icy exterior. "Then why do it? Why stay in this life?"
"Because power isn't a choice, Clara. It's a cage," Rico said, walking slowly toward her. He stopped just a foot away, towering over her. "The moment you try to walk away, they tear you apart. The only way to survive is to be the monster at the top of the food chain."
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"My sister tried to walk away," Clara whispered, her voice trembling with sudden rage and grief. "And your 'family' burned her alive."
"And I am going to tear every single one of them apart with my bare hands," Rico replied, his voice fierce, dark, and absolute. He reached out, his hand hovering near her cheek before stopping. He let his hand drop back to his side. "Starting with Vincent tomorrow morning."
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