The announcement was not spoken in a meeting room.
It wasn't whispered behind closed doors.
It was carved into the air of the Iron Crown's headquarters like a blade slicing through silence.
Isabella strode into the strategy hall, her black coat sweeping behind her like a shadow with purpose. Every lieutenant, every capo, every informant waiting inside stood at attention the moment she appeared.
The room was thick with tension everyone sensed today would alter the course of the syndicate forever.
Luca and Sophia flanked her, both bruised from the aftermath of the assassination attempt.
Isabella looked worse pale, exhausted, her hand unconsciously resting on her abdomen. But her eyes…
Her eyes burned like wildfire.
She stepped onto the raised platform Damian once stood upon.
Her voice was calm. Deadly calm.
"From this moment," Isabella said, gaze sweeping across the hall, "we are at war."
A ripple went through the crowd fear, excitement, disbelief.
