Chapter 29 - the coronation of blood
the funeral of don salvatore was a monumental event. thousands of mobsters, politicians, and wealthy elites gathered at the grand cathedral in manhattan to pay their respects to the fallen king. the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. the rival families, especially the lucchese delegates, watched closely, waiting for a sign of weakness from the newly crowned female don. tessa walked down the central aisle of the cathedral, wearing a sharp, custom-tailored black suit. she did not weep. she moved with cinematic grace and absolute authority, carrying her grandfather's silver cane. gabriel walked slightly behind her, his hand resting near his concealed weapon, projecting a terrifying aura of protection. as tessa reached the casket, the lucchese underboss deliberately stepped into her path, offering a mocking, insincere condolence intended to disrespect her authority in public. the entire cathedral held its breath. tessa did not flinch. she looked the man dead in the eyes and struck the marble floor with the silver cane. the sharp, cracking sound echoed like a gunshot. she whispered a chilling promise in old palermo dialect, causing the underboss to step back in pure fear.
👉 what final move will tessa make to solidify her absolute dominance?
