“Take him to the cellar,” Alexander ordered. “Keep him alive until the underbosses arrive tomorrow morning. They will decide his fate.”

Vincent nodded, pulling Luca roughly to his feet.

Luca struggled, cursing at Alexander, at Marcus, and finally at me as they dragged him out of the room.

His boots scraped against the floorboards until the sound faded down the hallway.

The study fell silent again, save for the sound of the rain outside, which was beginning to slow to a steady drizzle.

Alexander let out a long, shuddering breath and sank back into his armchair.

His face was grey, his forehead covered in a fresh layer of cold sweat.

“Doctor,” Marcus said, stepping forward. “Please.”

Dr. Voss immediately knelt beside Alexander, pulling a syringe from her bag.

“This will stabilize his heart rate,” she said, inserting the needle into his arm. “But he needs proper medical care. We must get him to the private clinic.”

“The guards are clearing the driveway now,” Sofia said, wiping her eyes. “The cars will be ready in five minutes.”

Alexander closed his eyes as the medicine took effect, his breathing gradually becoming shallower and more regular.