Chapter 194: The Last Betrayal

Viktor's smile widened as he looked at Don Roman.

He could see the fury burning behind the Don's eyes.

But beneath that fury, there was something else.

Fear.

Not fear for himself.

Fear for Aurelia.

And Viktor knew it.

That was exactly what made him feel powerful again.

He tightened his arm around Aurelia, keeping the gun pressed against her.

"Here's what is going to happen."

Don Roman's eyes narrowed.

"I'm listening."

Viktor glanced at Don Russo, then back at Don Roman.

"You are going to call a meeting."

Don Roman's expression remained cold.

"A meeting with who?"

"With all the Mafia Dons in this city."

A brief silence followed.

Viktor continued.

"They're going to hear you announce that you're stepping down."

Don Roman stared at him.

"And who exactly takes my place?"

Viktor smiled.

"Me."

Aurelia's heart sank.

Don Roman didn't even blink.

"You?"

"Yes."

Viktor's confidence was almost insulting.

"You will stand before them and announce that you are giving up the Moretti empire."

Then he gestured toward the estate behind Don Roman.

"And also the Russo estate, and every other thing you took from Russo."

"The businesses."

"The territories."

"The men."

"The name."

"All of it becomes mine."

Don Roman's jaw tightened.

"And after that?"

"You leave the city."

Viktor's eyes hardened.

"Completely."

"No men."

"No weapons."

"No contacts."

"No attempts to reclaim what you lost."

"You disappear."

Don Roman stared at him.

"And Aurelia?"

Viktor smiled.

"Once you're gone, I'll release her."

Aurelia's eyes widened.

Don Roman's expression remained unreadable.

"How long?"

"You have twenty-four hours."

Viktor's answer was immediate.

"You have twenty-four hours to arrange the meeting."

He paused.

"After that, you make your announcement."

"And once you leave the city..."

He leaned closer to Aurelia.

"...she walks free."

Don Roman's eyes moved toward Aurelia.

For a moment, their eyes met.

She shook her head slightly.

No.

She didn't want him to surrender everything for her.

But Don Roman understood what she was trying to say.

And his decision was already made.

He turned back toward Viktor.

"No."

Viktor's smile disappeared.

"What?"

"I said no."

Don Roman's voice was calm.

Almost frighteningly calm.

"You are not leaving this estate with Aurelia."

Viktor's eyes narrowed.

"So you refuse my deal?"

"I'm not negotiating with a coward who hides behind a woman."

Viktor's grip tightened.

Aurelia winced.

Don Roman's expression immediately hardened.

But he didn't back down.

"You want my empire?"

"You'll have to take it from me."

Viktor laughed bitterly.

"You still don't understand."

He pressed the gun against Aurelia's head.

"I have the advantage."

Don Roman's eyes darkened.

"You have a hostage."

"Exactly."

"And you think that makes you untouchable."

Viktor smiled.

"It makes me powerful."

Don Roman shook his head.

"It makes you desperate."

Viktor's face twisted with anger.

"You'll regret this."

"I already regret something."

Don Roman slowly turned his attention toward Don Russo.

The older man looked at him.

Don Roman's eyes were filled with disappointment.

"You."

Don Russo's face fell.

Don Roman stepped closer.

"Every time I give you a chance to live..."

His voice became colder.

"Every single time..."

"You choose betrayal."

Don Russo lowered his gaze.

Don Roman continued.

"I spared you."

"I warned you."

"I even told you to leave this city."

"And what did you do?"

"You came back."

"You joined Viktor."

"You brought an army into my estate."

"And now you're standing here again, beside him."

Don Roman shook his head.

"How many chances do you think you're going to get?"

Don Russo swallowed.

"I..."

"Don't."

Don Roman cut him off.

"I don't want another excuse."

His eyes hardened.

"You had every opportunity to walk away."

"But every time you had to choose..."

"You chose against me."

Don Russo looked toward the ground.

Viktor suddenly laughed.

"Do you hear yourself, Roman?"

Don Roman glanced at him.

Viktor shook his head.

"This is why you've become weak."

Don Roman's expression didn't change.

"You don't know what weakness is."

"Oh, I do."

Viktor pointed toward Aurelia.

"You had every opportunity to eliminate your enemies."

"Instead, you spared them."

"Russo."

"Nico."

"Even me."

He laughed.

"And now look where that weakness has brought you."

Don Roman's eyes narrowed.

Viktor smiled.

"You had the chance to kill me."

"You didn't."

"You had the chance to kill Russo."

"You didn't."

"And now I'm standing here holding the woman you love."

He leaned closer to Aurelia.

"Your weakness isn't just her, Roman."

"It's your inability to terminate your enemies when you have the chance."

Don Roman's face became dangerously still.

Viktor had no idea how close he was to death.

But Aurelia did.

She could see it in Roman's eyes.

He wanted to kill Viktor.

Every instinct in him was screaming to do it.

But he was waiting.

Watching.

Calculating.

Then Viktor turned toward Don Russo.

"Start the car."

Don Russo looked at him.

"What?"

"We're leaving."

Viktor gestured toward the vehicle.

"You'll drive."

Don Russo hesitated.

Viktor's eyes hardened.

"Now."

Don Russo slowly nodded.

He turned toward the car.

Nico suddenly spoke.

"And me?"

Viktor glanced at him.

"You?"

Nico stared at him.

"Yes."

Viktor gave a small laugh.

"You'll stay here."

Nico's face tightened.

"What?"

"You heard me."

Viktor looked toward Don Roman.

"Stay with your father."

Nico's eyes narrowed.

"He is not my father..."

"Well, you're worthless to me."

Viktor replied.

"You've served your purpose."

Nico stared at him in disbelief.

Viktor shifted his grip on Aurelia.

"Come on."

But before he could pull her toward the vehicle.

A heavy blow struck him from behind.

CRACK!

Viktor staggered.

His gun slipped away from Aurelia's head.

His eyes widened.

Aurelia took the opportunity, and drove her elbow into his stomach and then immediately ran towards Roman.

Don Roman rushed toward her.

"Get behind me!"

Viktor barely had time to turn.

Don Russo struck him from behind again.

His fist clenched.

His face filled with fury.

Viktor stumbled forward.

Viktor spun around, stunned.

"You..."

Don Russo raised his fist again.

"You shot my daughter."

His voice shook with rage.

Viktor wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

His eyes burned with hatred.

"Russo..."

Don Russo stepped toward him.

"Yes..."

His voice broke.

"It's over Viktor."

Viktor reached instinctively for his weapon.

But Don Roman was already moving.

So were his men, fully armed.

And suddenly Viktor realized something he was completely surrounded.