Chapter 6 - The Lion’s Roar
"Family?"
A sharp, booming voice echoed through the chapel.
Rosa stepped out from the shadows of the cellar, holding a vintage double-barreled shotgun aimed directly at Don Cesare’s chest.
"You don't know the meaning of the word family, Cesare," Rosa spat.
Cesare laughed mockingly. "Rosa, you old hag. You've been rotting in the piazza for twenty-five years. Do you really think you can scare me with a antique gun?"
"I didn't bring just a gun, Cesare," Rosa said with a sinister grin. "I brought an audience."
Rosa clicked a small red button on a remote control in her left hand.
Instantly, the dark stained-glass windows of the chapel were blasted inward by massive bright white floodlights. The sound of sirens roared outside, deafeningly loud. Overhead, news helicopters hovered, their searchlights cutting through the night.
"What is this?!" Cesare shouted, panic finally breaking through his arrogant posture.
"For twenty-five years, you thought I was a broken old woman losing her mind," Rosa said, her voice filled with triumphant power. "But every single day I sat in that square, I was watching. I was recording. Five minutes ago, the complete digital archive of your syndicate’s crimes—along with the live feed of your confession just now—was broadcast to every major news network in Europe and sent directly to Interpol."
Cesare’s face drained of color. "Kill them! Kill them all!" he screamed to his guards.
BANG!
Rosa fired into the ceiling, creating chaos. In the blinding flash of searchlights and smoke, tactical police officers smashed through the chapel doors. "POLICE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS! HANDS ON YOUR HEADS!"
Gunfire erupted in the chapel. Elena ducked, diving toward the floor to protect her children who were screaming from the cellar.
Through the chaos, she saw Mark make a desperate run for the rear exit. But before he could reach the door, Don Cesare, realizing he was ruined, drew a concealed pistol and aimed it directly at Mark's back.
May you like
"You failed me, boy!" Cesare roared.
BANG!
