Home / Mafia / The Valisteen Princess / Chapter 7. Remember My Name. 

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Chapter 7. Remember My Name. 

Author: KWIN STELLA
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-26 23:55:53

Mia's POV

I smirked faintly. “Something like that. Someone has to keep a clear head around here.”

He tilted his glass toward me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you actually dancing. A rare sight.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I said, but there was no bite to my words.

Victor chuckled lightly, his gaze scanning the room. His sharp eyes lingered on each corner as if he were silently calculating exit routes and assessing threats even in the middle of a celebration.

“You know,” he said after a pause, “it’s moments like this that remind me why we do what we do. These people—your people—look at you like you’re invincible. Like you’ve given them something no one else could.”

I stared into my glass, swirling the amber liquid. “And what’s that?”

“Hope,” he said simply.

I didn’t reply, the weight of his words settling heavily on me. Hope. It wasn’t something I’d set out to give anyone, but somehow, it had become part of what I represented.

The moment was interrupted by Mimi, who came bounding over with a mischievous grin. “There you are! You’re not hiding on me again, are you?”

I rolled my eyes. “You act like I can’t leave your sight for two minutes.”

“Because you can’t,” she shot back, grabbing my wrist and tugging me toward the center of the room again. “Come on, the crew’s been begging for you to toast. Don’t make me look bad as your second-in-command!”

 —

Standing on the small stage at the head of the room, I raised my glass, the chatter around me quieting as every eye turned my way.

“This empire,” I began, my voice steady despite the attention and nausea. I swallowed the bitter taste as I continued, “isn’t just mine. It’s ours. Each of you has played a role in building it, protecting it, and making it what it is today. Four years ago, I was lost, alone, and fighting for survival. Now, I’m standing here with all of you—my family.”

A ripple of cheers erupted, but I raised a hand, silencing them with a small smile.

“We’ve faced challenges that would’ve broken anyone else. And yet, we’re still standing. Stronger. Smarter. Unstoppable. Let’s keep proving to the world that we’re more than just survivors—we’re rulers. To us!”

The room erupted into cheers and raised glasses, the sound of their loyalty and faith washing over me like a tide.

As the night wore on, I allowed myself to savor the fleeting peace. But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t last. Dylan Griffin was still out there, and the storm between us was far from over. This was just a momentary reprieve before the battle resumed.

And when it did, I would be ready.

The sunlight poured through the bulletproof glass of my office, illuminating the stack of papers and files cluttered on my desk. I leaned back in my chair, sipping a cup of coffee as I waited for Mimi, Stacy, Mason, and Jennifer to arrive. Last night’s celebration was a blur, but today, the real work began.

A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called.

Mayson entered first, his posture rigid as always, followed by Mimi, who was nursing a bottle of water and wearing sunglasses indoors; Stacy walked behind her, her laptop glued to her hands, while Jenifer walked in, a bottle of water in hand. “Rough morning?” I teased, raising an eyebrow at her disheveled appearance.

“Shut up,” Mimi muttered, flopping onto the couch across from my desk.

Malcolm remained standing, his expression unreadable. “We’ve got intel on the next target,” he said without preamble, placing a thick folder on my desk.

I opened it, skimming through the documents and photos inside. “Is this the territory near Venice?”

Jenifer nodded. “The Antonelli family. They’ve been running illegal weapons and laundering money through their art auctions. They’ve refused our offer to collaborate and have been encroaching on our turf for months now. It’s time to send a message.”

I tapped a finger against the edge of the folder, my mind already working through the logistics. “What’s their security like?”

“Strong,” Stacy replied. “Their main compound is heavily guarded, and they’ve got connections with local law enforcement. We’ll need to be surgical about this—hit them where it hurts without leaving too much collateral damage.”

Mimi groaned from the couch. “Can’t we just blow something up? It’s faster and way more fun.”

I shot her a look. “We’re not starting a war, Mimi. We’re consolidating power. If we go in guns blazing, we’ll lose the trust of the smaller families we’ve been negotiating with.”

She waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine. What’s the plan, boss?”

I leaned forward, spreading the photos across my desk. “We’ll hit their next auction. It’s happening three nights from now in Venice. Malcom, I want a team ready to infiltrate the venue. Mimi, Stacy, you’ll be running overwatch—hack their systems, disable their security, and give us eyes on the ground.”

“What about you?” Jenifer asked, her tone laced with concern.

I smirked. “I’ll be attending the auction as a buyer. It’s time the Antonelli family learned who they’re dealing with. And you'll be my assistant.”

Mimi grinned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “Ooh, I get to dress, not only you up but Jenifer too. You both are going to need to look like a million bucks—literally. There both of you wouldn't be wearing black hoodies and black jeans and boots.”

Malcom sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t a fashion show, Mimi.”

“Relax,” she said, waving him off. “I’ll make sure they both look good and stay alive.”

I chuckled, closing the folder and leaning back in my chair. “It’s settled, then. We’ve got three days to prepare. Let’s make sure everything is airtight—I don’t want any surprises.”

As Malcolm, Mimi, Jenifer, and Stacy left the room to start their preparations, I gazed out the glass doors of my balcony. The Antonelli family didn’t know it yet, but their

reign was coming to an end.

And I was going to make sure they remembered my name.

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