Chapter 8 - The New King Wanted The Cleaning Lady Alive
Matteo didn't want Alessio.
He wanted Nari.
Because Matteo believed she was the only person capable of restoring the old empire.
He sent letters.
Gifts.
Threats.
Then promises.
Nari burned all of them.
She refused to be frightened.
But Matteo understood something.
He didn't need to attack her.
He needed to attack what she loved.
He targeted Alessio's company.
A warehouse was destroyed.
Then another.
A driver was kidnapped.
Luca was shot.
The message was clear.
Come willingly.
Nari refused.
Alessio wanted her moved overseas.
She refused that too.
"No."
"You can't stay."
"I can."
"Nari."
"I'm done running."
He stared.
She stepped closer.
"I spent twenty years being hidden."
"I'm not hiding anymore."
He sighed.
"You're impossible."
"Family trait."
He smiled despite himself.
The final confrontation happened at the Franks headquarters.
Matteo sent thirty men.
Alessio had twenty.
Luca had ten.
Security locked every floor.
Nari stood in the center of the command room.
She listened.
Footsteps.
Elevators.
Voices.
Languages.
She identified each group.
"Three men coming through the south stairwell."
Alessio nodded.
"Seven through the loading dock."
Luca moved.
"Five in the parking garage."
Security responded.
Nari became the voice directing the entire building.
She wasn't carrying a weapon.
She didn't need one.
Her languages allowed her to intercept radio communication.
Russian.
Italian.
Spanish.
French.
Arabic.
She heard everything.
Then she heard Matteo.
On an open line.
He was speaking Portuguese.
Nari answered.
He froze.
"You."
"Yes."
"You're speaking my language."
"I speak eight."
He laughed.
"You're impressive."
"No."
Her voice hardened.
"I'm tired."
Matteo paused.
"You could rule with me."
"I don't want your empire."
"You're lying."
"I don't need an empire."
She looked toward Alessio.
"I already have a family."
Matteo's voice softened.
"Then I'll take them."
Nari replied:
"Try."
The attack failed.
Matteo was captured.
The old organization was finished.
But one of his men had planted explosives.
Nari heard the timer.
Thirty seconds.
Twenty.
Alessio shouted:
"Everyone out!"
Nari realized something.
The detonator was connected to the elevator power system.
If they evacuated normally, the bombs would trigger.
She gave instructions in four languages simultaneously.
People moved.
Ten seconds.
Five.
She cut the secondary circuit.
The explosives failed.
Silence.
Then cheers.
Luca hugged her.
Alessio pulled her into his arms.
For the first time, Nari didn't resist.
"You saved us."
"We saved each other."
He smiled.
"You really are my sister."
She laughed.
"Unfortunately."
He kissed her forehead.
May you like
"I wouldn't trade you."
Neither would she.
