The Final Move

Castellano Estate – 3:00 AM

Dante stood at his office window, swirling whiskey in his glass.

A storm brewed outside, but the real storm was inside him.

His man hadn't reported back.

Belle had vanished.

And now, he had proof she had betrayed him.

A phone buzzed on his desk.

He answered.

"She's gone, boss. And Moretti's men are moving."

Dante smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Of course they are."

Belle hadn't just chosen to betray him—she had chosen to start a war.

He set the glass down and grabbed his gun.

"Find her. Kill anyone who stands in your way."

---

The Escape

Belle tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her heart pounding as the city lights blurred past.

Serena sat beside her, pale but composed.

"How long before they realize we're gone?" Serena asked.

Belle's jaw clenched.

"They already know."

Serena swallowed hard.

"Where are we going?"

"To end this."

She pressed the accelerator, heading straight for Giovanni Moretti's private estate.

She didn't trust him.

But she knew one thing for certain—

Giovanni would never let Dante win.

And right now, she needed an army.

---

Giovanni's Ultimatum

Guards surrounded the car the second Belle pulled up.

Within minutes, she was escorted into Giovanni's office.

He sat behind a massive desk, expression unreadable.

"Belle." His voice was smooth, dangerous.

"You came to me."

Belle met his gaze.

"Dante is coming. And if you don't move first, you're dead."

Giovanni chuckled.

"And why would I trust you?"

Belle exhaled.

"Because I can give you Dante."

Giovanni leaned forward, intrigued.

"Go on."

Belle's heart pounded.

This was it.

"Dante will come for me first. Use me as bait. Trap him. Kill him."

Giovanni studied her.

Then—he smiled.

"You always were a smart girl, Belle."

He reached for his gun.

"Let's finish this."

---

The Final Confrontation

It happened fast.

Dante arrived at Giovanni's estate with his men, guns blazing.

But Giovanni was ready.

An ambush.

Bullets tore through the night as men fell on both sides.

In the chaos, Belle slipped inside, heading straight for Dante.

She found him in the main hall, bleeding but still standing.

He turned when he saw her, a slow smirk forming.

"So this is how it ends, sweetheart?"

Belle raised her gun.

"It was always going to end this way."

Dante chuckled.

"Then do it."

Belle hesitated.

Dante saw it.

He took a step closer.

"You can't, can you?"

Belle's hands trembled.

Dante had lied to her. Used her. Controlled her.

But some part of her had loved him.

Even now.

"Belle." His voice was softer now.

"You don't have to do this."

Tears burned in her eyes.

But then she remembered—Serena. Luca. Every innocent person caught in this war.

Dante would never stop.

And if she didn't kill him, he would kill her.

Belle exhaled.

And pulled the trigger.

A single gunshot echoed through the halls.

Dante staggered back, eyes wide.

Belle watched as he collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

He reached for her—one last time.

"Belle..."

Then—he was gone.

Belle lowered the gun, hands shaking.

The war was over.

But at what cost?

---

Six Months Later

The city had changed.

With Dante dead, Giovanni had seized control.

But Belle?

She had disappeared.

Rumors spread.

Some said she was dead.

Others said she had fled, leaving the mafia world behind.

Only Serena knew the truth.

Belle wasn't dead.

She wasn't gone.

She was rebuilding.

And when the time was right—

She would return.

As more than just a survivor.

As a queen.