The Viper Stepmother’s Mafia Justice Chapter 19
The Recording
The family gathered in the grand hall.
Dominic stood at the front. Guards lined the walls. Leo kept Mia beside him. Bullet and Shadow guarded the children.
Two guards brought Isabella in. Hands cuffed. Chin lifted. Ready to perform.
I pressed play.
Her own voice filled the room. Clear. Calm. Nothing like the sobbing woman upstairs.
“The boy is useless. He belongs to that woman.”
Then a man’s voice. Low. Muffled. But steady. “Then use the girl. He needs results.”
“The girl still wants a mother. Give me time.”
Then Vincent’s voice. The one that mattered most.
“Kill Dominic. I don’t care how.”
The recording ended.
Isabella’s face went pale.
“That’s not— I was forced— He threatened me—”
Nobody moved.
Dominic reached behind his back. Drew his gun. He pressed the barrel against Isabella’s forehead.
“Give me one reason.”
Isabella’s knees buckled. She dropped to the floor.
“Please. Please, Dominic. I had no choice—”
“You had every choice.”
His finger moved to the trigger.
Then my hand closed around his wrist.
“Don’t.”
Dominic turned. His eyes were black.
“She tried to kill our children.”
“Kill her, and we lose our advantage.” I stepped between them. “Vincent is still alive. If she dies, he goes underground. If she lives, she stays useful. A live tether to Vincent. We feed him lies through her until we bury him.”
Dominic’s gun hand didn’t move.
“She’s more useful alive than dead.”
Five seconds. Ten.
Dominic lowered the gun.
“East wing. Full lockdown. Cameras. Guards. No blind spots.”
Isabella trembled on the marble. Tears ran down her face. She looked like she thought mercy had saved her.
I crouched until my eyes were level with hers.
“Welcome to your new cage, Isabella. You call Vincent when I say. And you speak my words.”
Isabella’s sobs caught in her throat.
—