Chapter 9
Gerald did not deny it.
He straightened his jacket.
“So?”
Marco stared.
“You told me the passenger was Vivienne.”
Gerald shrugged.
“Details.”
Alessandro looked at him.
“You used my security captain.”
Gerald laughed.
“Your security captain made his own choice.”
Marco’s jaw tightened.
Gerald pointed toward him.
“Don't look wounded.”
“You took Vivienne’s orders because you thought she'd soon be lady of the estate.”
Marco looked away.
Gerald smiled.
“Exactly.”
Alessandro absorbed it.
Vivienne had not conquered the estate alone.
People had anticipated her future position.
Adjusted.
Obeyed early.
That was how power changed hands before anyone formally announced it.
Vivienne smiled again.
“You see?”
“Your men understand transition better than you do.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“Transition to what?”
Her smile held.
“Marriage.”
“No.”
His voice dropped.
“You keep using that word for something else.”
Vivienne’s eyes narrowed.
Nico stepped forward.
“She offered me my old crew back.”
Alessandro turned.
Vivienne rolled her eyes.
Nico continued.
“But not under Alessandro.”
Gerald’s face hardened.
Nico looked toward him.
“Under you.”
The garden shifted.
Gerald smiled.
“Finally.”
Vivienne turned sharply.
“You said temporary.”
Gerald looked at his sister.
“Everything starts temporary.”
For the first time, Vivienne seemed genuinely surprised.
Not frightened.
Offended.
“You were supposed to take the north crews until after the wedding.”
Gerald laughed.
“And then give them back?”
He looked around.
“To who?”
Vivienne’s eyes hardened.
“To Alessandro.”
Gerald stared at her.
Then laughed again.
“You still think this was about becoming his wife.”
Silence.
Vivienne’s face went cold.
Alessandro watched.
Gerald had used her too.
But not entirely.
She knew enough to remain guilty.
Gerald stepped closer to his sister.
“You wanted the house.”
“I wanted the family.”
He smiled.
“I wanted the power.”
Vivienne’s nostrils flared.
“You said we would control both.”
“We will.”
“No.”
Her voice sharpened.
“You said Alessandro would remain Boss.”
Gerald smirked.
“Bosses who can be pulled from council by a thirsty child don't remain Boss forever.”
Lily heard.
Alessandro saw her face.
Gerald did too.
And kept going.
“That's the problem with raising daughters like little queens.”
His voice became cruel.
“Eventually the father forgets he’s king.”
Alessandro stepped forward.
Gerald smiled.
“Yes.”
“Hit me.”
“Do it in front of them.”
His eyes moved toward the capos.
“Prove every word.”
Alessandro stopped.
Power reversed again.
Gerald’s smile faded.
Alessandro looked toward the capos.
“How many of you knew Gerald wanted the north crews?”
Two men looked down.
Then a third.
Vivienne stared.
Gerald’s confidence remained.
“Don't act betrayed.”
He looked at her.
“You wanted your own kingdom too.”
Her eyes flashed.
Gerald continued.
“You just wanted it decorated with flowers.”
Then Nico spoke.
“There’s another part.”
Everyone turned.
Nico’s expression was grim.
“Saint Agnes wasn't the final destination.”
Vivienne’s jaw tightened.
Alessandro looked at him.
Nico continued.
“Gerald offered me something if you left council to get Lily.”
“What?”
“Your west crews.”
Gerald smiled faintly.
“And if I stayed?”
Nico looked at Vivienne.
Then back at Alessandro.
“He told me Lily wouldn't be returned until you publicly placed Gerald at your right hand.”
Vivienne’s face went still.
May you like
The staged disappearance had been designed not only to test Alessandro—
but to force a promotion through his daughter.
