“You’ve killed my men,” he says, his voice low, steady, carrying through the room without needing volume.
Mateo doesn’t answer. Christian takes another step.
“You’ve tried to destroy my businesses.”
Another.
“You attacked my family.”
That’s the one that lands.
That’s the one that changes everything in the room, because this was never just business, not really, not anymore.
Christian’s hand moves, sliding into his jacket before coming back out with a knife, clean and simple and entirely intentional.
“Your death,” he says quietly, stepping into Mateo’s space, “is one I will enjoy.”
It happens fast.
One clean movement.
The blade flashes, then draws across his throat in a smooth, controlled motion, and Mateo barely has time to react before it’s over, his body dropping to the floor as the silence crashes in behind it.
I watch it all. Every second. Every detail. And what settles in me isn’t chaos. It isn’t rage. It’s satisfaction. Because it’s done. It’s finally done and it almost feels like it was too quick, too final. Like the ending didn’t meet the buildup of rage and fear.
Footsteps echo behind us, unhurried, controlled, and I don’t need to turn to know who it is.
Deluca walks in like this is exactly what he expected to find, his gaze moving over the scene once before settling on us.
“I trust this is resolved now,” he says smoothly.
Christian straightens slightly.
“It is.”
Deluca’s attention shifts to me, his eyes sharp, assessing in a way that feels like he’s measuring something I can’t see.
“I hear you’ve made quite the impression,” he says.
Christian speaks before I can.
“Elijah will be taking over operations here.”
The words settle heavily. Deluca studies me for a long moment. I step forward.
“I will.”
There’s no hesitation in it now. No question. Just certainty. He nods once.
“Good.”
He turns slightly, already moving away.
“This was your mess,” he says. “Clean it up.”
A pause.
“And keep it clean. We will not be stepping in again.”
