Chapter 16
Inside the Falcone estate, the shadow on the marble floor shifted. Domenico froze, pressing his back against the cold stone of the archway. He controlled his breathing, silencing the natural rhythms of his body. A figure stepped out from the adjacent parlor, dressed in the dark tactical gear of Falcone’s own security detail. It was not a Cole invader; it was a traitor within his own ranks. The man moved silently, his weapon raised, advancing slowly toward the staircase that led directly to Ruby’s room. Domenico’s eyes went dark, an abyss of absolute, unforgiving rage opening within him. There was no hesitation, no demand for surrender. Domenico stepped out from the archway, closing the distance with unnatural speed. The traitor turned, his eyes widening in terror as he recognized the Boss, but he never had the chance to raise his gun. Domenico struck with the ferocity of a viper. He clamped his left hand over the man's mouth, stifling any cry, while his right hand drove a combat knife deep into the man’s ribcage, twisting the blade upward to puncture the heart. The traitor convulsed, his eyes rolling back as Domenico lowered him silently to the floor. Domenico withdrew the blade, wiping it clean on the dead man's vest. The inner sanctum was compromised, but the wolves would find only a demon waiting for them in the dark.
