Chapter 14 - The Ledger Cleared
Declan hung suspended over the edge, fifty floors of empty, wind-swept air beneath his heels. He looked down at the glittering city lights below, terror finally cracking through his arrogant facade.
“Valerio... wait,” Declan gasped, clawing at Val’s iron grip. “You need me. You don't know who funded the strike on your house. It wasn't just me! The syndicate council... they put up twenty million!”
Val leaned down until his mouth was inches from Declan’s ear. “I don't need their names, Declan. When they see what I do to you, they will come crawling to beg for mercy.”
“Val—!”
Val released his collar.
There was no scream, only the rush of the rain as Declan fell backward into the dark void, swallowed by the storm.
Val stood at the edge for a long time, watching the rain fall into the abyss. He felt the cold seep into his bones, the exhaustion finally catching up to his battered muscles. Behind him, Sarah walked onto the balcony, her boots crunching on glass. She handed him a dry towel and kept her eyes trained on the ballroom entrance.
“The perimeter is secure,” she said quietly. “The syndicate lords in the ballroom have surrendered their territories. No one will challenge your claim tonight.”
Val wiped the blood from his cheek and turned to her. “Where is Mia?”
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“Safe in the armored limousine on the ground floor,” Sarah answered. “Guarded by Viktor’s remaining men. She asked for you.”
Val nodded slowly. “Then let’s go home.”
