Chapter 13 - The Queen's Return
Three days later, the Rossi estate in Chicago was completely transformed.
The iron gates were reinforced.
The security staff had been tripled.
The bodies in the mountains had been quietly disposed of, erased from existence as if they had never been born.
Beatrice stood in the center of the grand foyer.
It was the exact spot where she had bled onto the marble just a few nights ago.
But everything was different now.
She wasn't wearing a black uniform or a white apron.
She was wearing a stunning, tailored burgundy dress that swept the floor.
A delicate diamond necklace rested against her collarbone.
She was no longer the invisible maid.
She was the woman who had saved the Don's daughter and put a bullet in the Kensington heiress.
The household staff was lined up along the edges of the foyer.
Many of them were the same women who used to whisper cruel jokes about Beatrice's weight in the laundry room.
Now, none of them dared to make eye contact.
They stood with their heads bowed, trembling in absolute terror.
Leo stood beside Beatrice.
He looked untouchable in a custom black suit, his presence commanding the entire room.
Mateo stood just behind them, his arm secured in a black sling.
"Look at them," Leo said quietly, his voice carrying perfectly across the silent foyer.
Beatrice looked at the staff.
She saw fear.
She saw respect.
"They used to mock you," Leo continued, his voice devoid of mercy.
"They used to make you feel small in my house."
Beatrice swallowed hard, her heart pounding.
"Leo, it doesn't matter anymore," she whispered.
"It matters to me," Leo countered fiercely.
He stepped forward, addressing the row of terrified servants.
"Listen to me very carefully," Leo commanded.
"If any of you ever look at Beatrice Miller with anything less than absolute reverence, I will bury you under this estate."
A collective gasp rippled through the staff.
"She is not a guest."
Leo reached out, pulling Beatrice firmly against his side.
"She is the lady of this house."
He scanned the faces of the staff, daring any of them to challenge his words.
"If she asks for water, you bring her the ocean."
He turned his head, his cold gray eyes locking onto the head housekeeper, an older woman who had been notoriously cruel to Beatrice.
"Do we understand each other?" Leo demanded.
"Yes, Mr. Rossi," the housekeeper stammered, bowing deeply.
"Yes, Don Rossi."
Leo dismissed them with a single wave of his hand.
The staff scattered like frightened mice, eager to escape his wrath.
When the foyer was empty, Leo turned fully to Beatrice.
He reached up, gently brushing a stray curl behind her ear.
"You are too kind to them," Leo murmured.
"I just don't want them to fear me," Beatrice admitted softly.
"In our world, Beatrice, fear is the only thing that keeps you alive."
May you like
Leo leaned down, his lips brushing against hers.
"But you never have to fear me."
