Chapter 7
Rocco did not put the ring back on Celeste’s finger.
That was the first answer.
She noticed.
Her expression hardened.
“You're making a mistake.”
Rocco looked toward Matteo.
“Close the chapel.”
Celeste laughed.
“You can't close what you don't control.”
Rocco turned.
She stepped forward.
“Eight men under your estate.”
“Three Hale crews within an hour.”
“Serrano watching North Shore.”
Her voice sharpened.
“And you want to posture because your mother polished shoes?”
Donna flinched.
Celeste saw it and smiled.
“Still hurts?”
She looked toward the old woman.
“Good.”
Rocco’s face became cold.
Celeste continued.
“Maybe next time you'll remember which woman actually has something to offer this house.”
Donna’s eyes filled.
Nora whispered:
“Stop.”
Celeste turned.
The maid immediately froze.
Celeste smiled.
“What?”
“You've been crying all night and now you found courage because he’s standing beside you?”
Nora's hands trembled.
Celeste stepped closer.
“You scrub floors.”
“You don't correct me.”
Rocco moved between them.
Celeste rolled her eyes.
“Another rescue.”
She looked around.
“Does anyone in this estate stand without him holding them up?”
Rocco’s voice remained quiet.
“You're done speaking to them.”
Celeste laughed.
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
“I'll speak to whoever I want until you understand what happens if I walk.”
Rocco looked at her.
“Then walk.”
Silence.
Her face changed.
Just for a second.
Sebastian stepped forward.
“Careful.”
Rocco turned.
Sebastian smiled.
“You want to prove something?”
“Fine.”
“End the engagement.”
His eyes sharpened.
“Then explain to three hundred armed men why Bellacorte protection no longer extends through Hale territory.”
Vincent looked toward Rocco.
That part was real.
The marriage had created a fragile peace between networks.
Breaking it could create conflict.
Celeste saw Vincent’s concern.
Confidence flooded back.
“There.”
She smiled.
“Even your uncle understands.”
She looked at Donna.
“This is what adults discuss while mothers polish shoes.”
Donna looked down.
Rocco’s expression hardened.
Then Matteo whispered:
“Boss.”
“What?”
“One of the men below surrendered.”
Celeste’s head turned.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
Rocco noticed both.
“Bring him.”
A young man entered.
Hale colors beneath his coat.
He looked terrified of Celeste.
Not Rocco.
Interesting.
Celeste stared.
“You.”
The man lowered his eyes.
Her voice became contemptuous.
“You were told to stay below.”
He swallowed.
Rocco looked at him.
“Who gave the order?”
The man glanced toward Sebastian.
Celeste saw.
Her face changed.
Sebastian stepped in.
“He’s nobody.”
Rocco turned.
The young man spoke quickly.
“Mr. Sebastian.”
Silence.
Celeste looked toward her brother.
He smiled.
“What?”
She stared.
“You told me the lower crew was Serrano.”
Sebastian shrugged.
“Some are.”
“Some?”
Rocco watched.
The alliance between brother and sister had just cracked.
Celeste stepped closer.
“How many Hale men are below?”
Sebastian’s smile thinned.
“Enough.”
“I asked how many.”
He looked at her.
For the first time his contempt was directed toward her.
“You don't need every number.”
Celeste’s face hardened.
“Don't speak to me like one of your men.”
Sebastian laughed.
“Then stop asking questions like one.”
That hit.
Donna noticed.
So did Rocco.
Celeste’s jaw tightened.
“You used my wedding.”
Sebastian smiled.
“Our wedding alliance.”
“No.”
Celeste’s eyes sharpened.
“My wedding.”
Sebastian leaned closer.
“Your dress.”
“My war.”
The chamber went silent.
Rocco stared at him.
Celeste did too.
Sebastian realized he had said too much.
Then the young Hale man spoke again.
“There are twelve below.”
Celeste turned.
Her face went pale.
“Twelve?”
She had expected fewer.
The man nodded.
“And they aren't waiting for the bell.”
Rocco’s eyes narrowed.
“What are they waiting for?”
The young man looked toward Sebastian.
“A gunshot.”
May you like
Celeste slowly turned toward her brother.
The signal had never been hers.
