Chains of Velvet, Heart of Fire
But instead of shooting him, Lucien lowered the gun.
And smiled.
“I don’t need you dead, Leone. I need you... broken.”
He leaned in close.
“You just lost your transport routes, your financial shields, and your diplomatic immunity. Every government from Rome to Riyadh is reading your books by morning.”
He stepped back.
“And I let you live so you’d have the pleasure of watching your empire starve.”
Leone screamed after him, “I’ll rebuild it!”
Lucien didn’t turn around.
“No. You won’t.”
Later, back at the Marchesi estate, Lucien stood at the balcony of his private study, overlooking the olive fields. The horizon glowed with the fires of victory—but his eyes were weary.
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