Chapter 24 - The Hidden PoisonI kept my face completely neutral, taking a slow sip of my water. "That sounds remarkably generous, Senator. What's the catch? Nothing in your world comes without a body count."
Julian’s smile tightened just a fraction, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his eyes before he smoothed it over with practiced charm. "Sharp-witted, too. The catch is simple, Mara. We require a guarantee of long-term stability. And the only way to ensure that stability... is through a blood alliance."
The room went dead silent.
Dante’s body went rigid beside me, his hand tightening around the stem of his wine glass so hard I thought the crystal would shatter. "Explain yourself, Julian."
"A marriage," Julian stated casually, lifting his glass to his lips. "My eldest son, Nicholas, is currently studying international law in Geneva. He is of age, well-educated, and needs a suitable bride to anchor our alliance. If you, Mara, agree to step down from leadership and marry into the Vance family, the Council will sign over absolute control of the Mediterranean trade routes to Dante."
For a second, my mind refused to process the audacity of his words.
He wanted to use me as a political hostage. He wanted to strip the Moretti syndicate of its new leadership under the guise of an aristocratic marriage, effectively annexing our empire without firing a single shot.
Before Dante could speak—before he could draw his weapon and put a bullet through Julian Vance’s skull right across the dining table—I stood up.
I didn't yell. I didn't panic. I smoothed down my skirt, walked slowly around the table, and stopped right beside Julian Vance’s chair.
"Senator," I whispered, my voice dripping with ice-cold amusement.
Julian looked up at me, blinking in mild confusion. "Yes, my dear?"
"Let me tell you a story about my mother," I said softly. "She raised me on one command: If you ever see men with dragons on their skin, you walk the other way. But you know what she forgot to teach me?"
Julian tilted his head. "What?"
"How to run."
With lightning-fast speed, I grabbed Julian’s expensive wine glass, upended the remaining red Amarone directly across the front of his pristine white shirt, and slammed the crystal down onto the wood with a deafening crack.
Julian leaped out of his chair, sputtering in absolute shock, his face turning a furious shade of crimson. "You insolent little—!"
"Guards!" Dante barked, his voice echoing like thunder through the vaulted hall.
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In a fraction of a second, Marco and four elite operatives rushed into the dining room, their assault rifles raised, locking lasers directly onto Julian Vance and his two security men.
Julian’s guards instinctively reached for their sidearms, but stopped dead as Marco pressed the barrel of his rifle firmly against the center of Julian’s chest.
