Chapter 2 A Throne Stained in Blood

The air inside the De Luca estate was thick with tension. The study, once her father's domain, was now hers. Adriana sat at the massive mahogany desk, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings along its edges. A symbol of power. A reminder of the legacy she was expected to uphold.

The capos arrived one by one, their polished shoes clicking against the marble floor. Each man represented a different piece of her father's empire, and tonight, their loyalty-or lack of it-would determine her fate.

Luca stood behind her, a silent guardian, his presence steadying her. He had warned her that not all of them would accept her leadership, but she didn't need them all. Just enough to secure her place.

Enzo Ricci, the oldest and most respected capo, was the first to take a seat. His weathered face gave nothing away, but his piercing blue eyes studied her with quiet intensity.

To his right, Matteo Costa leaned back, arms crossed. A younger, ambitious man, his alliances had always been questionable. He wouldn't hesitate to switch sides if he thought it would benefit him.

Then there was Rocco Bianchi. A brute of a man with a scar slicing down his cheek, earned from a knife fight years ago. He was loyal-to power, not people. If she could prove she had it, he would follow.

The last to enter was Salvatore Romano. He moved with the confidence of a man who had seen too many battles and lived to tell the tale. His loyalty had been to her father, not necessarily to the De Luca name. Whether that loyalty extended to her remained to be seen.

Adriana let the silence stretch, watching them, letting them watch her. They expected weakness, hesitation. She would give them neither.

"Let's not waste time," she finally said, her voice steady. "You're all here because my father is dead. Murdered. And the man responsible is still breathing."

A murmur rippled through the room. Some of them already knew this, but hearing it from her made it real.

"You want to know if I'm fit to lead?" Adriana continued. "Then let me make one thing clear-I am not here to ask for permission. The De Luca family is mine now, and I intend to rule it as my father did. With strength. With power. And with vengeance."

Matteo scoffed. "Big words for someone who hasn't shed any blood yet."

Luca took a step forward, but Adriana lifted a hand, stopping him. She met Matteo's gaze, unflinching. "You think I need to prove myself by killing someone?" She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "Then let's start with you."

The room went silent. Matteo's smirk faltered, just for a second, but she saw it. That was all she needed.

"I don't have time for games," she said. "Either you stand with me, or you don't. But if you don't, then you'd better be damn sure you can take me out before I take you out first."

Rocco chuckled, breaking the tension. "She's got fire. I like it."

Enzo remained quiet, his gaze never leaving hers. He was testing her, waiting to see if she would crack.

Salvatore exhaled slowly. "We need to be smart about this, Adriana. Whoever killed your father-they're not done. They'll come for you next."

"Let them come," she said. "I'll be ready."

Another moment of silence. Then, finally, Enzo spoke. "Your father built this empire through blood and fear. If you want to keep it, you'll have to do the same."

"I know."

He studied her for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. "Then you have my loyalty."

One by one, the others followed. Matteo was the last to agree, but in the end, he did.

It wasn't absolute control. Not yet. But it was enough.

As the capos left, Luca remained behind, arms crossed. "That was a risk."

She stood, walking toward the window. The city stretched before her, glittering under the night sky. "Everything worth having is."

He sighed. "So what's the next move?"

She turned to face him. "We find out who pulled the trigger on my father."

Luca nodded. "And when we do?"

A slow, cold smile spread across her lips.

"We burn their world to the ground."