The beating that followed was methodical and thorough, designed to send a clear message about the price of abandoning Leo Romano's organization while leaving Vincent alive enough to spread that message.One target down, Sebastian calculated as he left Vincent's mansion. Time for the second defector.Marco Benedetti's penthouse apartment occupied the top floor of Carson City's most exclusive residential tower, its panoramic views and advanced security systems reflecting both wealth and paranoia in equal measure."Mr. Sterling," Marco greeted him at the door with obvious nervousness, "I heard about your visit to Vincent. Please, come in and let's discuss this like civilized businessmen."He's prepared for negotiation, Sebastian observed as he entered the opulent apartment. That's going to make this more interesting."Marco, I think we can reach an accommodation that benefits everyone," Sebastian began with apparent reasonableness."Exactly what I was hoping to hear," Marco replied with

"Maybe it's time for us to leave," Sophia suggested with growing urgency as she watched Vivian's increasingly erratic behavior."Leave?" Vivian laughed harshly. "The night is just getting started!"Their conversation was interrupted by two men in expensive suits who approached their VIP table with obvious predatory intent."Ladies," said the taller of the two with practiced charm, "I'm Marco Benedetti, and this is my associate Giuseppe Romano. Mind if we join you for drinks?""Yes, we mind," Vivian replied with immediate hostility that surprised both men with its viciousness."Excuse me?" Marco asked with obvious confusion at her aggressive response."I said we mind," Vivian repeated with growing irritation. "We're not interested in whatever pathetic pickup lines you've prepared.""Lady, do you know who we are?" Giuseppe demanded with wounded pride and growing anger."A couple of desperate losers trying to impress women who are clearly out of your league," Vivian shot back with cruel

The underground criminal networks of Carson City buzzed with excited chatter as word of the ten million dollar bounty spread through every back alley, dive bar, and safe house in the region.Sebastian Sterling's announcement had transformed Karvel Cross from an unknown consultant into the most valuable target in the city's history.Every killer, thug, and desperate criminal in a hundred-mile radius is now hunting me, Karvel calculated as he navigated the darkened streets toward Vivian's hotel.Getting to her safely will require extreme caution.Three separate assassination attempts occurred during his twenty-minute drive, forcing Karvel to take evasive action through service alleys and industrial zones to avoid leading potential killers to Vivian's location.The bounty is creating exactly the kind of chaos I expected, Karvel observed with grim satisfaction as he finally reached the Meridian Hotel's service entrance."Sir, I'm sorry, but Miss Fairchild's instructions remain unchanged,"

The Romano Enterprises lobby fell silent except for the distant sound of approaching sirens as Karvel stared directly into Leo's eyes with an expression of complete calm that seemed to unnerve the criminal kingpin despite his overwhelming tactical advantage.He's not breaking, Leo observed with growing frustration as he studied Karvel's unwavering composure.Most people would be begging for mercy by now."Nothing to say?" Leo pressed with vicious satisfaction."No threats? No defiance? Just going to stand there like the pathetic nobody you really are?"Karvel continued his silent stare for several more seconds before turning away from Leo with the same dismissive indifference he'd shown at the restaurant.His movement was deliberate and unhurried, as if Leo Romano posed no more threat than an annoying insect.He's walking away again, Leo realized with mounting rage. That arrogant piece of shit is dismissing me like I'm nothing."That's right!" Leo called after Karvel's retreating figu

The Romano estate's private study felt like a tomb as Leo paced frantically behind his mahogany desk, the morning newspapers scattered across its surface like evidence of his complete downfall.Every headline screamed variations of the same devastating story about his recorded threats and criminal behavior."ROMANO ENTERPRISES IN FREE FALL AFTER DEATH THREAT RECORDING," read the Carson City Tribune's front page in bold letters that seemed to mock his former power."LOCAL BUSINESSMAN EXPOSED AS VIOLENT CRIMINAL," declared the Financial Herald with obvious satisfaction at his public humiliation.I should have stayed on the East Coast, Leo admitted to himself with bitter regret as he stared at the ruins of his reputation.Coming here to find my rival was the biggest mistake of my life."Sir," Thompson announced through the intercom with obvious reluctance, "we've received confirmation of last night's facility attacks. Six locations hit simultaneously, total damage estimated at over two h