They might have been right, but it didn’t matter. That innocent soul passed away not seeing the light of the day—murdered by its mother before the second trimester.

I just couldn’t wrap my head around what those two lowlifes were thinking. If even half of those allegations were true, they were far worse nutjobs than I’d ever been.

I needed to smoke out her mole and get to the bottom of it!

Grabbing the telephone, I dialed a number.

“Julio. Get everyone to the courtyard at ten. I want them suited up,” I ordered then hung up with a slam.

Later, under the scorching morning sun, I marched toward the courtyard with the executives trailing behind me. Their confusion was obvious, and I understood why—I’d never called for a gathering with such urgency since I’d taken the Don’s chair.

My mood darkened the second I spotted my target as I stepped into the courtyard.

“Signora,” he greeted, taking my hand and kissing my ring. “You’re killing us with suspense. You didn't need to bother coming down. I could've handled it all for you.”

“I’m in the mood to handle things personally today, Julio,” I snapped, walking past him. “So shut your trap and do as I said.”

“Is everyone here?” I asked, inspecting the line of armed men before me.

“Yes, ma’am,” Julio responded.

I nodded, then grabbed two Glocks—and without warning, I bashed Julio’s head and shot dead anyone who dared reach for their weapon.

“Signora?” Julio gasped, no longer hiding the hatred in his eyes.

If I could’ve breathed fire, I would’ve incinerated him on the spot.

“Is there anyone else who wants to defy me?” I shouted, pressing a gun to Julio’s head. “Speak now, and I’ll do you the honor of sending you to your grave!”

Silence fell over the estate. No one moved a muscle.

I scoffed, looking down at the trembling fools. “You idiots must’ve thought I’d gone soft. But did you forget who I am?” I kicked Julio hard in the gut, watching him writhe in pain. “Tell me, Julio, who am I? What do they call me?”

“B-Bloody Mary,” he stammered, glaring up at me with eyes full of hate.

“That’s right, you bastard. I'm Bloody fucking Mary!” I let out a crazed laugh and shot him in the leg. His scream echoed through the halls.

“You didn’t think you’d betray me and walk away unscathed, did you?” I crouched down, lifting his chin with the barrel of my gun. “How long did you think you could keep this from me?”