Chapter 9
732words
This time around, I heard my sister say it herself that Caspian would die in a hail of bullets. That meant the plan was already in motion, and I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Arnold, I’d like to talk.”
The next afternoon, I sought Arnold out on my own initiative.
He was in the family library, reading quietly. He looked gentle and harmless. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and fell across him, making him look more like a scholar than a man raised in the mafia.
“Of course, Elysia,” he said as he set the book aside and politely pulled out a chair for me. “How may I be of service?”
“I don’t think Leia is suited to managing the gallery,” I said bluntly. “She’s too… naive. She lacks business sense.”
A flicker of interest flashed through Arnold’s eyes. “What are you implying?”
“I need a more capable partner.” I deliberately lowered my voice, creating the illusion of a conspiracy. “I need someone ambitious, decisive, and with vision.”
“Such as?” His breathing quickened.
“You,” I said, meeting his gaze directly. “I know you’re not content staying in the shadows forever. A talented man like you deserves a higher position.”
His breath grew even heavier. “Elysia… what exactly are you saying?”
“It’s simple.” I leaned closer, my voice turning deliberately seductive. “Leia is a foolish burden. She’ll only hold you back. I, on the other hand, have ambition, ability, and resources. If you need a more suitable partner…”
I paused on purpose, letting him fill in the blanks himself.
‘Is she seducing me? This woman is far smarter than Leia and far more useful.’
I could hear the greed in Arnold’s thoughts, fully awakened.
“And there’s more,” I continued calmly. “I suspect Leia wants to take everything for herself. Lately, she’s been asking about my family’s finances and probing for confidential information.”
That sentence completely ignited his fury.
‘That woman… I can’t believe she wants to betray me! I never should’ve told her that.’
“If, hypothetically, something were to happen to Caspian,” Arnold said cautiously, lowering his voice, “would you stand on my side?”
“Of course.” I nodded without hesitation. “The position of the Donna should belong to someone competent. We can rebuild the family together.”
Arnold was fully tempted now. Greed gleamed openly in his eyes.
“As long as you get rid of Caspian for me,” he said coldly, “the position of future lady will be yours.”
“Deal.” I reached out and shook his hand. “So, how do you plan to do it?”
“At the next arms deal,” Arnold replied darkly, “I’ll arrange a few accidents. Caspian will disappear for good.”
After leaving the library, I immediately sent a recording of our entire conversation to Caspian through an encrypted channel. It was more than enough to prove Arnold’s betrayal and his murder plot.
Half an hour later, Caspian appeared in my room. After listening to the recording, he radiated a terrifying intent to kill. The temperature in the room felt much colder.
“Are you insane?” He pulled me into his arms forcefully. “How could you make a deal like that with him?”
“It was a strategy,” I explained. “I needed him to reveal everything. That way, we can prepare in advance.”
“You’re mine,” he said, his voice filled with dominance and threat. “You are never allowed to bow your head to anyone, especially not him.”
That night, the major families gathered for the monthly dinner. It was a long-standing Chicago mafia tradition, used to discuss territory distribution and profit sharing.
I sat beside Caspian, quietly observing everyone in attendance. One of the mafia family’s capos from New York deliberately provoked Caspian. His gaze kept drifting toward me, filled with unmistakable ill intent.
Caspian remained expressionless, but suddenly, I heard his thoughts.
‘This idiot. The way he’s looking at Elysia is really pissing me off. I’ll teach him a lesson later.’
I turned to look at him in shock. Since when could I hear his thoughts, too?
What shocked me even more was that the cold-blooded mafia underboss I remembered had way more inner monologue than I ever imagined.
