Chapter 185 Almost Over

Chapter 185 Almost Over
Don Roman Moretti stopped a few feet away from the kneeling Don Russo.
"You betrayed me again, Vincenzo."
Don Russo's shoulders trembled.
"I know."
"You knew exactly what would happen if you returned."
"I know."
"And yet you came back."
Don Russo said nothing.
Don Roman looked toward Bianca.
Then back at him.
"You brought Viktor here."
Don Russo swallowed.
"I did."
"You brought armed men into my estate."
"I did."
"You tried to kill me."
Don Russo lowered his head further.
"Yes."
Don Roman's jaw tightened.
"And now your daughter is lying there because of your choices."
Don Russo's eyes filled with tears.
"Please..."
His voice was barely audible.
"Don't punish her for my sins."
Don Roman didn't answer.
He simply looked at Bianca.
She was innocent of her father's recent ambition.
She had warned him.
She had refused to support his plan.
And despite everything, she had tried to stop the attack.
Don Roman remembered her words.
He remembered how she had warned him about her father's collaboration with Viktor.
At the time, he had wondered whether she could be trusted.
He had never trusted a Russo.
But, now he knew.
She had told him the truth.
Don Roman looked back at Russo.
"Your daughter warned you."
Don Russo nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"And you didn't listen."
"No."
"She tried to stop you."
Another nod.
"Yes."
Don Russo closed his eyes.
"I was blinded by revenge."
Don Roman studied him.
"Revenge."
He repeated the word quietly.
"Look where it brought you."
Don Russo said nothing.
"You almost lost your daughter..."
Don Roman turned away.
"And you're going to die today. I am not giving you another chance to be stupid."
Don Vincenzo Russo sighed in defeat.
He knew Don Roman won't show him mercy .
"Please, let me see my daughter conscious again, before you send me to the land of no return."
Don Roman turned around to look at hi.
"You're in no place to ask for favours."
Then he signals two of him men to bind Don Russos hands as he waits for his execution.

The war with Viktor was essentially over.
Viktor had no army anymore.
No loyal captains.
No stronghold.
No empire.
He was alone.
Running.
Hiding.
Trying to survive.
But Don Roman wasn't going to underestimate him.
A wounded animal was often more dangerous than a powerful one.
Viktor had nothing left to lose.
That made him dangerous.
Don Roman looked toward Marco.
"Search every place Viktor could possibly go beside Moretti's estate."
Marco nodded.
"Yes, Don."
"But don't bring an army."
Marco looked at him.
Don Roman continued.
"He's running."
"He'll eventually make a mistake."
Marco understood.
"You want us to track him."
"I want him found."
"And when we find him?"
Don Roman's expression hardened.
"Bring him to me."
Marco bowed.
"Alive?"
Don Roman stared toward the brightening sky.
"Alive."
His voice was quiet.
"But only because I want to kill him with my own hands."
Marco nodded.
"Understood."
He turned to leave.
Don Roman stopped him.
"Marco."
Marco turned back.
"Yes, Don?"
Don Roman looked at him.
"You did well tonight."
Marco lowered his head.
"I only did what I should have done from the beginning."
Don Roman studied him for a moment.
He always appreciated loyalty.
Viktor was once loyal to him.
And this had taught him that any of his men could betray him.
Trusting any of them completely would be hard for him.
Don Roman finally nodded.
And Marco left immediately with the other captains.
Don Roman remained standing in the living room.
The sun had fully risen now.
A new day had begun.
And somehow... he had survived it.
But his mind wasn't on the throne.
It wasn't on Viktor.
It wasn't even on the empire he had fought so hard to reclaim.
His thoughts returned to Aurelia.
He wondered how she was doing.
Whether she was frightened.
Whether she was angry with him for not calling.
He reached into his pocket and touched his phone.
His thumb hovered over her name.
He almost called.
Then stopped.
Not yet.
Just a little longer.
He would finish everything first.
Then he would go to her.
Don Roman looked toward the wounded Bianca still being attended to by the physician.
Then toward Don Russo.
Still on his knees with his hands tied.
Maybe it was time to return to Moretti estate.
Maybe it was time to claim his empire.
Especially now that Viktor was on the run.
The war was not completely over.
But the end was finally within reach.
Viktor was running.
His army was gone.
His allies were dead or captured.
His empire was finished.
The only thing left was the final punishment.
Don Roman looked toward the rising sun.
"I will find you, Viktor."
His voice was cold.
"And when I do..."
His eyes hardened.
"You'll wish you had died tonight."