Chapter 18 - The Council’s UltimatumInside the study, Serena sits across from Luciano, warming her hands over a cup of black tea while Marco stands guard by the door with a submachine gun.
“What do they want, Serena?” Luciano asks, leaning forward, resting his forearms on the desk.
“They want absolute control of the Atlantic ports, and they want your bloodline erased so no one can ever challenge their offshore routing again,” Serena explains, her eyes darting nervously toward the window. “They gave me forty-eight hours to deliver your surrender document, signed in your own hand.”
Luciano reaches into his jacket, pulls out a golden fountain pen, and slides a blank sheet of heavy parchment across the desk toward her.
“Write this down word for word,” Luciano commands softly.
Serena hesitates, picking up the pen. “What should I write?”
“Tell the European council that Luciano Venturi is waiting for them on American soil. Tell them to bring their best men, because the next time they cross my threshold, they won't be leaving in body bags—they’ll be buried in the backyard.”
May you like
Serena’s hand shakes slightly as she writes down the message, looking up at Luciano with a mixture of terror and awe. “You’re declaring open war on the entire global syndicate?”
“I’m finishing a war they started twenty years ago,” Luciano replies, standing up. “Marco, escort Mrs. Vance to the private airstrip. Make sure she gets back to Zurich safely to deliver my reply.”
