Chapter 11
The truth weakened Marcus.
It strengthened Ramona.
That surprised everyone.
At the next council meeting, she stopped denying the fund.
She defended it.
Her breathing was steady.
Her eyes never left Lorenzo.
“You closed doors people needed.”
Lorenzo sat motionless.
Ramona continued.
“I opened others.”
“With stolen money.”
“With family money.”
“Without permission.”
She laughed softly.
“There. That word.”
Lorenzo’s hand tightened once.
Ramona saw it.
“You still think permission and morality are the same thing.”
Alina watched both of them.
This was no longer villain versus victim.
It was two competing systems of control.
Then Alina spoke.
“What happened when somebody disagreed with you, Ramona?”
Ramona looked at her.
“You mean you?”
“No.”
Alina slid a ledger forward.
Three widows who questioned missing balances had their support delayed.
Two employees who refused political favors lost access to medical reimbursements.
A driver’s family received nothing until he agreed to work for Marcus.
Ramona’s face changed.
Alina’s voice stayed quiet.
“You didn't rebuild protection.”
She tapped the ledger.
“You built obedience.”
Nobody spoke.
Ramona’s confidence flickered.
For the first time.
Marcus jumped in.
“You think Lorenzo’s system is better?”
Alina turned toward him.
“No.”
That answer surprised the room.
She looked at Lorenzo next.
“His isn't.”
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed.
Alina continued.
“One man deciding who deserves protection is still one man deciding.”
The council went silent.
Power shifted again.
Not toward Marcus.
Not toward Lorenzo.
Toward Alina.
Then Emilio, the capo who had defected, placed a folder on the table.
“I have something else.”
He looked at Lorenzo.
His face was pale.
“Marcus didn't choose Alina as the target first.”
Lorenzo’s eyes hardened.
May you like
Emilio swallowed.
“He chose Lucy.”
