The weight of the crown

The weight of the crown


IZZY'S POV

I was back in the office late that evening. The hall had cleared hours ago, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how the council had watched me today. Every whisper, every glance, it all meant something, I sat at the edge of my father’s desk, hands gripping the wood, when Matteo walked in.

“You’re still here?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “Couldn’t sleep.”

He closed the door behind him. “Figured you’d be riding high after today.”

I gave a short laugh. “High? More like wondering which one of them is planning to stab me in the back first.”

He smiled faintly. “Now you’re starting to sound like a boss.”

I leaned back in the chair, crossing my arms. “Is that what I am now? Or just a mascot while you run things?”

That got a reaction, his brows went up. “You’re sharper than people think.”

“I’m not joking,” I said. “I saw the looks today. Marco, Councilman Vance, even some of the captains. They’re all waiting for me to slip and you…you didn’t exactly look surprised.”

Matteo came closer and leaned against the edge of the desk. “I wasn’t. That’s how this world works. You take a seat at the top, and everyone under you starts thinking about how to pull you down. It’s not personal, it's instinct.”

“Instinct,” I repeated. “Like animals.”

He shrugged. “Exactly but animals still respect a stronger leader.”

I let out a breath. “And if I’m not strong enough?”

“Then they eat you alive,” he said simply.

The room went quiet for a second. I tapped a pen against the desk. “Marco whispered something during my speech. I saw him. You heard it, didn’t you?”

Matteo smirked. “I always hear him. He said you’d break before noon.”

My jaw tightened. “Good. I’ll remember that.”

Matteo tilted his head. “You want my advice?”

“Do I ever?” I muttered.

He ignored that. “Don’t let Marco see you react. Make an example out of someone else first. Show him what happens when he underestimates you.”

I looked up at him. “You sound like you’ve already planned it.”

“I’ve done this long enough to know the pattern,” he said. “Someone always thinks the new boss is weak. You crush that idea fast or you’ll never stop fighting.”

I stood and walked over to the window, looking at the city lights below. “What if I don’t want to be like my father?”

“You won’t be,” Matteo said. “You’re already different but different doesn’t mean soft.”

I turned back to him. “You’re used to running things, admit it. You like it.”

He smiled faintly. “I don’t deny it but I’m not trying to take it from you, Izzy. I’m trying to keep you alive long enough to hold onto it yourself.”

I didn’t answer. My hands were clenched at my sides.

Matteo came closer. “Listen. Today you stood up there and gave a speech that made half the room sit straighter. You think that happened by accident? You’re already changing how they see you.”

“Not enough,” I said.

“Never enough,” he said. “That’s the game. You’ll never feel like you’ve done enough but you still do it anyway.”

I looked at him, searching his face. “Why are you really helping me?”

He smirked. “Maybe I’m sentimental. Maybe I liked your father more than I let on. Maybe I’m tired of running things from the shadows or maybe I just don’t want to see you fail.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Or maybe you think you can control me.”

Matteo laughed under his breath. “If I wanted to control you, I wouldn’t be telling you how to beat me.”

I walked back to the desk and sat again. “You think Marco will move soon?”

“I think Marco is already moving,” Matteo said. “He’s just waiting for you to show weakness.”

“Then I’ll show him strength,” I said. “Real strength.”

He nodded. “Good, because you’ll need it.”

There was a knock on the door. One of the younger captains peeked in, looking nervous. “Izzy? You wanted the report on the East Borough?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Come in.”

The kid stepped inside, glancing between me and Matteo. “There’s been some pushback. People saying the deal Matteo signed isn’t legit without your approval. They’re holding shipments.”

I felt my stomach tighten. “Who’s holding them?”

“Two of the older crews,” he said. “They’re saying they want to hear it from you directly.”

Matteo gave me a small nod, like this was my moment. “Well?” he asked.

I stood up. “Tell them they’ll have their answer by morning, no shipments move until I say so.”

The kid nodded quickly and left.

When the door closed, Matteo said quietly, “That was the right call.”

“I know,” I said, though my pulse was pounding.

He leaned in. “Now you’ve drawn a line, don’t step back from it.”

“I won’t,” I said.

He smiled faintly. “We’ll see.”

I sat back down, rubbing my temples. “This is exactly what you were talking about. They’re already testing me.”

“Yes,” Matteo said. “And they’ll keep testing until you make an example out of someone. That’s how this ends.”

I looked at him sharply. “You sound almost excited.”

“I’m not,” he said. “But I know what comes next. This is the part where you stop being Vincenzo’s daughter and start being the boss. Everyone’s watching, don’t give them a reason to doubt.”

I stared at the desk, then back up at him. “I’m not scared.”

“Good,” he said. “Stay that way but don’t confuse bravery with recklessness. You’re walking into the shadows now, they’ll test you where no one can see.”

“I’ll see them,” I said. “I’ll see everything.”

He nodded slowly, like he wasn’t sure if he believed me yet.

We were quiet for a while. The office felt bigger, emptier.

Finally I spoke. “Matteo.”

“Yeah?” He answered.

“If it comes down to it,” I said, “whose side are you on?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yours. Unless you start acting like Vincenzo.”

I gave a small, dry laugh. “Then you’d kill me yourself?”

“I’d walk away,” he said. “But I won’t have to, because you’re not him.”

I looked at him, trying to read if he meant it. He stared back, expression steady.

“Okay,” I said final
ly. “Then we’re clear.”

He pushed off the desk and walked to the door. “Get some sleep, Izzy. Tomorrow’s another day of people testing you.”