Chapter 4

Siena POV

"Stop."

My voice wasn't a scream. It was a cold, sharp command that sliced through the freezing air of the corridor.

The massive female Enforcer froze, her heavy hand hovering just inches from Valentina's pale face. I didn't wait for her to process the interruption. My heels clicked against the marble as I closed the distance, stepping directly in front of the trembling widow, shielding her with my own body.

Elmira Castillo's eyes narrowed into slits of pure venom. Beside her, Isabella scoffed, while Lucia hovered nervously a few steps back.

"Step aside, Siena," Elmira sneered, her aristocratic mask slipping to reveal the cruelty beneath. "Or are you so eager to break the family's hierarchy for a lowly Soldier's widow? If you want to protect her, perhaps you should take her punishment."

I didn't flinch. Instead, I closed the distance between us, my eyes dead and hollow. I had died with a wire around my throat; a slap from an Enforcer was nothing but a joke.

"I dare to kneel here and take her punishment," I said, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper that echoed off the stone walls. "But do you dare to strike me, Elmira? Guess what kind of *Vendetta* Dante will order if he comes home to find a handprint on his Mafia Queen's face."

The color instantly drained from Elmira's face. The sheer terror of the Dark Don's possessive, bloodthirsty nature paralyzed her. She knew Dante would burn the entire East Wing to the ground for a single scratch on my skin.

Before Elmira could formulate a retreat, the heavy oak doors of the suite clicked open. Greta, Elder Adeline's high-ranking maid, stepped out with a perfectly practiced bow. "Elder Adeline invites you all inside for morning coffee."

The standoff shattered. I glanced down at Valentina. The widow was staring up at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of absolute shock and a profound, desperate gratitude. I gave her a subtle nod of dismissal, ensuring she was safe, before turning on my heel and walking into the lion's den.

The East Wing Suite smelled of bitter espresso and expensive, suffocating perfume. Elder Adeline Castillo sat on her velvet armchair like a queen holding court. She was a master of psychological warfare, and the moment we took our seats, she began her play.

"Whatever was that noise in the corridor, Elmira?" Adeline asked, sipping from her bone china cup, feigning ignorance.

Elmira eagerly took the bait, exaggerating Valentina's disrespect and my "unreasonable" interference.

Adeline sighed, casting a pitying look at the older women. "Siena has the Don's absolute favor now. Even as an Elder, it is not my place to intervene. I suppose those of us with old Castillo blood must simply endure being sidelined by... newer influences."

It was a masterful manipulation. Instantly, Isabella and Elmira began murmuring their bitter agreements, lamenting how their ancient bloodlines were losing to a commoner's pillow talk. Adeline was rallying the traditionalists, building a united front of hostility against me.

I sat on the velvet sofa, lazily stirring my coffee. In my past life, this unified hatred would have terrified me into submission. Now, it was just pathetic. Their coordinated venom was nothing but the impotent rage of women who knew they couldn't actually touch me as long as Dante's shadow covered me.

I placed my silver spoon down. The sharp clink silenced the room.

I didn't look at Adeline. Instead, I turned to my loyal maid standing behind me. "Rosa."

"Yes, *mia Regina*," Rosa replied instantly.

"Go to the estate manager. Tell him to lock the East Wing guest suite next to the Master Suite," I ordered, my voice loud and clear. "As for Chiara, have her belongings moved to the standard rooms in the Associates' District at the very edge of the estate."

A stunned, breathless silence fell over the suite.

"Siena!" Adeline snapped, her facade of calm completely shattering. "Chiara is your own flesh and blood! You would banish your sister to the slums where not even formal Soldiers bother to tread? What is the meaning of this?"

I picked up my espresso, taking a slow, deliberate sip before meeting the Elder's furious gaze.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately," I said, offering a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Besides my Don, I simply don't want to hear anyone else breathing near my quarters. If you pity her so much, Aunt Adeline, why not let her stay in your suite?"

The sheer, unapologetic arrogance of my excuse left them speechless. They stared at me as if I had lost my mind, horrified by my cold-blooded treatment of my "sweet" sister.

Let them think I was a tyrant. I preferred their fear over their fake smiles.

I stood up, smoothing the skirt of my dress. "Enjoy your coffee, ladies."

I left the suite without looking back, my heels clicking rhythmically against the marble. It was time to head back to the Master Suite balcony. My treacherous sister was due to arrive any minute, and I wouldn't miss her humiliating welcome for the world.