Chapter 12 - A Brother’s Treason
Julian took a slow sip of his bourbon, his gaze drifting from the fresh bodies of his men to Dante standing tall in the center of the bloody foyer.
""You really are a cockroach, Dante,"" Julian said, his voice dripping with condescending amusement. ""I must give you credit. Surviving the drainage ambush, sneaking back into your own house... it’s poetic. But ultimately futile.""
""You poisoned a child,"" Dante said, his voice terrifyingly quiet. ""You poisoned a five-year-old girl who called you family.""
Julian’s smirk faded, replaced by an ugly, sneering bitterness. ""She is not family! She is the daughter of a ghost and a weak brother who left everything to you! For ten years, I built our empire in the mud, Dante! I took the bullets, I broke the unions, I laundered the blood money! And what did your father’s will say? Everything passes to Dante, and if Dante dies, everything passes to Clara!""
Julian threw the bourbon glass against the wall, where it shattered into amber fragments.
""You made me a servant in my own kingdom!"" Julian screamed. ""The dog knew it! Even that damn animal looked at me like I was an intruder! The moment I walked in here two nights ago, he knew I didn't belong anymore. So yes, I killed him. And I will burn this house until not even your ashes remain!""
Julian raised his hand and snapped his fingers. ""Kill him. Leave the head for the lieutenants.""
The mercenaries raised their weapons.
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Dante didn't dive for cover. Instead, he pulled the pin on the dual smoke canisters strapped to his chest and dropped them straight onto the floor.
Thick, impenetrable white chemical smoke erupted in an instant, engulfing the entire foyer in a blinding cloud.
