The ballroom staff quickly arranged a card table at the center of the room, bringing professional poker chips and a fresh deck of cards. Judge Morrison stood to the side, clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation but unable to stop what had been set in motion."As the creator of this proposition," Marco Castellano said, "you should choose the first game."Karvel nodded. "One round of poker. Standard Texas Hold'em.""Poker?" Head Hunter scoffed. "That's a game of luck more than skill.""Then you should have excellent odds," Karvel replied calmly.The three men took their seats around the table while a nervous dealer from the hotel staff shuffled the cards with trembling hands. The crowd pressed closer, forming a tight circle around the players."When I win this," Head Hunter said, leaning back in his chair with false confidence, "I'm going to enjoy dealing with you and your woman. Maybe I'll make her watch while I teach you what happens to people who disrespect me."Victoria clap

Marco Castellano took his position at the throwing line, his expression focused and deadly serious. His date stood against the board with remarkable composure, holding the apple steady despite the obvious danger.With practiced precision, Marco threw his knife. It struck the apple cleanly, eliciting another round of gasps from the crowd."Two for two," Marco said with satisfaction. "Not bad for a night's work."Head Hunter's competitive nature immediately kicked in. The fact that both his opponents had matched his skill level was eating at him."One knife is child's play," he announced loudly. "Let's make this interesting. Three knives. All three have to hit the apple perfectly.""Three?" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "That's suicide!""He's going to kill that poor woman!" another voice added.Head Hunter ignored them and took his position. Victoria held the apple with trembling hands as he threw the first knife, then the second, then the third. All three embedded themselves in the

Karvel Cross wasn't slowing down. The moment Vincent Castellano Sr. was secured and handed off to his contacts, he was already reviewing intelligence on the second target.Speed was essential – the quicker he dismantled the leadership, the less time they would have to organize a coordinated defense."The second target is Marco Torretti," Karvel told his team as they regrouped. "Eastern regional leader. He's currently at the Velvet Rose, his favorite strip club downtown.""Security level?" one of his operatives asked."High. But he's relaxed there. Thinks he's untouchable in his own territory."Two hours later, Karvel walked through the doors of the Velvet Rose. The music was deafening, strobe lights painted everything in shades of purple and red, and the air was thick with cigar smoke and expensive cologne.Marco Torretti sat in the VIP section like a king on his throne, surrounded by half-naked women and mountains of cash. He was throwing hundred-dollar bills at the dancers, laughing

Sebastian Sterling felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. After everything that had happened at the gala, after the humiliation Head Hunter had suffered, the man still hadn't learned his lesson."Didn't you give Karvel Cross your word in front of your entire crew?" Sebastian asked. "Doesn't going after Vivian Fairchild violate the pact you made?"Head Hunter waved his hand dismissively. "Let me worry about that. Your job is to execute the plan, not question my decisions.""But boss—""I want you to rally the low-ranking members," Head Hunter continued, ignoring Sebastian's concern. "Tell them this kidnapping was your idea, your initiative. That way, if anyone questions it, they won't think I'm breaking my oath."Sebastian stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to take responsibility for violating your oath?""That's exactly what I want.""I can't do that."The words hung in the air like a challenge. Head Hunter's expression darkened immediately."What did you just say to me?"

The Ronin headquarters buzzed with anticipation as members cleared a large space in the center of the main hall. This was going to be the fight everyone had been waiting for – Head Hunter, the charter leader, against Sebastian Sterling, his former right-hand man turned accused traitor.What none of them knew was that at that very moment, across the city and in neighboring states, the three remaining regional leaders of the Ronin were under simultaneous assault. Karvel's allies and the security authorities he had contacted were executing coordinated raids, taking down the leadership structure piece by piece.Sebastian stood in the makeshift arena, his hands finally freed from their restraints. He was stalling for time, hoping his carefully laid plans would come to fruition before he was forced to reveal his true capabilities to Head Hunter."This is going to be beautiful," Tony said, standing at the edge of the circle. "Boss is going to tear you apart.""He had it coming," another memb