Chapter 9 - THE DEVIL IN THE KITCHEN
A deafening silence fell over the kitchen.
Laurent froze, the iron skillet still raised in his hand, his eyes widening with sheer, unadulterated terror as he stared toward the ruined doorway.
Stepping through the smoke and splintered wood was Alessandro Moretti.
He wasn't alone. Four armed bodyguards fanned out instantly, securing the exits, followed by federal marshals with federal badges gleaming in the dim light.
Alessandro walked slowly across the kitchen floor, his charcoal overcoat swirling around his ankles. He looked like the angel of death personified—calm, cold, and utterly unstoppable.
"Drop the pan, Laurent," Alessandro said. His voice was barely a whisper, yet it echoed like a thunderclap through the room.
Laurent’s knees turned to jelly. The iron skillet slipped from his trembling fingers, clattering loudly against the tiled floor. He dropped to his knees, pressing his palms flat against the ground. "Mr. Moretti! I can explain! It was Camilla! She made me do it—"
Before Laurent could finish his plea, Camilla rushed out from the office hallway, her face flushed with outrage. "Alessandro! What is the meaning of this?! You’re breaking into a private establishment based on a hysterical waitress—"
She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the federal marshals standing beside Alessandro’s men.
Alessandro didn't look at Camilla either. His dark eyes remained locked on Sophie, who was slowly standing up from behind the shattered pastry counter, brushing flour from her black apron.
"Are you hurt?" Alessandro asked, his voice softening by a fraction—just enough for only her to hear.
"I'm fine," Sophie whispered, clutching her phone. "I got the recording. She and Laurent were running the counterfeit wine ring and shipping contraband through the West Side docks."
Alessandro finally turned his gaze toward Camilla. The look in his eyes made the socialite take three involuntary steps backward, her high heels clicking frantically against the floor.
"Counterfeiting wine on my turf," Alessandro said softly, stepping closer to her. "Using my city to launder your father’s illegal imports. And threatening a woman under my direct protection."
"My father is Senator Russo!" Camilla shrieked, panic breaking her voice into a high-pitched squeal. "You can't touch me! My family will destroy you!"
May you like
"Your father's assets were seized by the federal government twenty minutes ago," Alessandro replied flatly, gesturing to the marshals. "Take them both away. Make sure they spend a very long, very uncomfortable decade reflecting on their poor taste in wine."
As the federal marshals slapped steel cuffs onto Camilla’s wrists and hauled her screaming out of the kitchen, the room grew quiet once more.
