THE MAFIA KING BROKEN ROSE novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Everything moved like clockwork

At exactly 11:53 p.m., a low boom rattled the northwest gate. Smoke poured into the sky as guards scrambled in that direction, radios crackling with alerts. Sirens flared Lights snapped on.

Dominic’s men reacted like trained wolves precisely what Nico counted on. He knew their every move, to move on attack.

It was the perfect illusion of an outside breach.

While the chaos funneled toward the smoke, Nico’s team moved.

Four black–clad figures slipped through the south corridor the blind spot. The hidden exit used during emergencies. The estate’s own blueprint turned against itself.

Inside, Nico’s planted man dressed as a kitchen aide cut the power to the east wing and looped the hallway cameras, feeding old footage into the monitors. For fifteen minutes, the estate would be blind.

The strike teams split into two units.

Unit One moved toward the armory, the key target. They had the cloned print, and within two minutes, the lock was overridden. The explosives were planted near the ammo reserves, set to detonate on a ten–minute delay.

Unit Two swept the lower corridor, silencing two patrolling guards and planting thermal charges on the emergency exits.

Nico entered alone.

Through the south courtyard.

Every corner was familiar. Every creak in the floor, every scent of oak and leather. The ghosts of his childhood danced in the dark, and still, he moved like a shadow, expression grim.

He passed the hallway where he and Dominic had once hidden after a brawl with their fathers.

He passed the stairwell where they’d made a blood pact.

Now he was here to end it.

While Nico moved inward, Mikael’s secondary team activated.

At the northwest breach, planted agents detonated another controlled charge–this time near the estate’s backup power grid. Sparks flew. Power across the estate stuttered, then died.

Silence fell.

No lights.

No cameras.

Just shouting. Gunfire. The chaos of confusion.

Dominic’s men scrambled for control–but they were being hunted in their own home, every exit rigged, every route anticipated.

Mikael stood in the shadows outside the east wall, listening through comms. He smiled faintly.

“We own this house,” he murmured.

Nico stopped just outside the main hall, where he knew Dominic would be. His team had done their job. The estate was bleeding.

Now it was time for the personal cut.

He pulled out his gun, checked the chamber, then stepped into the lightless hallway, boots silent.

His heart didn’t race.

His hands didn’t shake.

Because this was never revenge.

This was balance.

And when he saw Dominic’s shadow at the top of the stairs, gun raised–Nico smiled.

“Hey, Dom,” he said, voice low and clear. “Miss me?”

Dominic didn’t respond.

He didn’t have to.

The look in his eyes sharp, black, unflinching and indifferent said everything Nico already knew this wasn’t a reunion. It was

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Chapter 137

an execution waiting for its cue. And he loved it. He was onhinged, no rules towards his friend and would hately prom alive if he wanted

“You’re looking a little thinner, Nico added, stepping forward slowly “Did heartbreak shrink pow or you just maning without someone to control?”

Dominic fired

Nico dove left, the bullet slicing across the wall just past his shoulder Plaster cracked and destined down, but foo rolled into the hallway’s blind edge with practiced ease. He laughed once quiet and greatless

“Still quick. But not quick enough.”

Dominic didn’t speak. He was already descending the stairs, boots heavy, his movements silent and pract

By the time Nico emerged, Dominic was already there.

A punch cracked across Nico’s jaw.

He stumbled back, grinning even as blood hit his lip.

*Still hits like a tank,” he muttered.

Dominic didn’t give him time to breathe. He lunged, grabbed Nico by the collar, slammed him against the stone wall with enough force to rattle the pictures hanging behind him.

“You used her,” Dominic growled. “You brought this into my home.”

“I was your home,” Nico spat back. “But you buried me years ago and crowned yourself king”

Dominic’s grip tightened, gun pressed under Nico’s jaw now. “I should kill you.”

“You won’t.”

“Why?”

“Because you have emotions Dominic. Friendship matters to you. Loyalty does and you can’t let me go. Am I right or wrong?

A pause.

Dominic didn’t move.

Didn’t lower the gun.

Nico smirked. “And because you forgot-” He slipped a hand into his jacket.

Dominic pressed the gun harder. “Try it and I end you right here.”

Nico raised his hands slowly, revealing a small silver vial between his fingers.

“You never played dirty, Dom. That was always your problem.”

He flicked the vial forward.

A fine, sparkling mist burst from the capsule as it hit the Dominic fast, scentless, almost invisible if you did not take note.

But Dominic knew the moment it hit him.

He staggered back, gun still raised, but his arms were slower. He blinked, tried to step forward, but his knees betrayed him.

“What… did you…”

Nico caught him as he fell, lowering him carefully so he didn’t make a sound.

“Just a sedative,” Nico whispered. “Nothing fatal. You’ll wake up… eventually.”

Dominic’s jaw clenched, but his limbs betrayed him. His vision was already spinning.

Nico crouched beside him as he fought the pull of unconsciousness.

“You never understood, Dominic. Emotions make you weak. You hold onto people like they’re the reason you breathe You think love is power, but it’s not. It’s a chain.”

Dominic’s breath hitched.

Nico leaned closer. “That’s why I’ll win. Because I cut the chain.”

Darkness finally pulled Dominic under.

And when his head fell back, his body stilling, Nico stood.

He didn’t look triumphant.

He looked calm.

Detached.

Like this had always been inevitable.

Chapter 137

FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER

Mikael’s voice hissed through the comms. “Status?*

Nico pressed the earpiece tighter. “Inside East wing secured. Dominic’s occupies”

“Confirm the armory?”

“Destroyed.”

“Good. Phase three. We clear out and burn what’s left. No loose ends.”

Nico was silent for a second too long.

Mikael’s voice hardened. “Did you hear me?”

“I heard you,” Nico said. “But I’m changing the plan.”

“What?”

“I’m not leaving without Aria.”

Mikael froze on the other end. “This wasn’t a solo mission. We had other plans before Aria”

“It never was yours to begin with, this was my plan and I am taking Aria.”

Static cracked between them. “You double–crossing bastard-”

Nico clicked the comm off.

Just like that.

He stood in the dark hallway of the estate, glancing back toward where Dominic lay unconscious. He reached down, slipped the burner phone from Dominic’s pocket, and slid it into his own coat.

One king down.

The other?

Soon.

Mikael had always thought himself untouchable. Thought Nico was his tool. But Nico had never been built to take orders. He had followed Dominic once not because he was loyal, but because it was convenient. Because the De Luca name meant access. Respect. Power.

And now?

Now he didn’t need anyone else’s name.

He was going to build his own empire on the ashes of both.

But there was one loose thread he hadn’t tied off yet.

Aria.

She wasn’t just bait anymore. She wasn’t just leverage. She knew too much. Had seen too much. Her connection to Dominic was deeper than anyone expected and if she survived this, she could unravel everything.

Or worse…

She could inspire Dominic to rise from the ruins.

Nico couldn’t risk that.

He started down the hall, stepping over the debris, the fallen guards, the blood streaking across the polished marble floors. His pace never rushed.

He knew where she would be. Maybe if he was fast enough he would claim her, brainwash her before Dominic have a chance.

Because if he wanted to claim the crown, there couldn’t be any pieces of the past left standing.

Not Dominic.

Not Mikael.

kindu

Nico moved through the corridor like he still owned it. Every step brought back memories the kind that stung, the kind that

didn’t matter anymore. Sentiment was a disease. He’d spent too long infected. Tonight, he was purging it.

The wing she was in had been cleared already. He’d made sure of it. No guards. No interference.

Just her.

He pushed open the door without a sound.

She stood by the window, back to him, but her shoulders tensed.

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