My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 712

Chapter 712

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Nikolai drew a slow breath before looking around the table, “We’ve heard both sides. One side showed paperwork. Custody orders. Medical records. Bloodline. Succession. Everything this life has always been built on.”

His eyes shifted toward us.

“The other side brought accusations. Ugly accusations, maybe even true but ‘maybe’ doesn’t mean a fucking thing in this room. I don’t strip a man of his rights because another man tells me to. I strip them when somebody puts proof on the table that we can’t ignore. And right now,” he looked directly at Vincenzo, “…that proof isn’t here.”

His gaze swept across the Council one last time.

“So this Council recognizes Giovanni Toricelli as the lawful head of his bloodline and the lawful guardian of his daughter. The Capones will hand Miss Toricelli back to the Toricellis. No games, no delays, no clever bullshit. You’ll surrender her without interference.”

His eyes lingered on Vincenzo.

“That’s the ruling. And any bastard who thinks about breaking it, better be ready to answer to every family sitting at this table.”

Nikolai’s voice stayed flat.

“This ruling carries the weight of every boss sitting at this table. Any family stupid enough to spit on it, spits on all of us. And when you declare war on the Council,” a cold smile touched his mouth, “Don’t come crying when the Council declares war on you.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“We’ll choke off your money. You lose your deals. You lose every ally you’ve got. No backing. No seat at this table. And from that moment on, if somebody decides to kick your door in, burn your businesses to the ground, or put a bullet in the back of your skull, don’t expect this Council to lift a fucking finger. You’ll be on your own.”

One by one, the other bosses gave slow nods. Everyone in this room understood exactly what Nikolai had just said.

Isolation.

Complete isolation.

My eyes moved to Vincenzo. He just sat there. His shoulders were still square. His chin remained high. His face gave nothing away. To anyone else. He still looked like Don Vincenzo Capone.

But I had known him my entire life.

He had lost.

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Vincenzo had always won.

Always.

When he promised someone would come home. They came home.

When he said he would protect this family. He did.

For the first time in my life. I was watching my brother lose because of me.

A strange thought entered my head.

I might have just lost her.

The realization didn’t hit all at once. It spread slowly like ice crawling through my veins.

If the Council’s order stood. She would leave with Giovanni. She would walk out those doors under

another family’s protection. I wouldn’t be allowed to follow. I wouldn’t be allowed to touch her. To speak to her. To bring her home.

The law we all lived by. The law I had defended my entire life. Had just placed the woman I loved into the

hands of the man I wanted dead.

My mind produced nothing because every path ended the same way.

Failure.

I heard someone speaking. I didn’t know who. The words became meaningless noise..My entire world had narrowed to one person.

If she walked out of this estate with Giovanni.

I didn’t know if I’d ever get her back.

13411

Gianna

“Whatever’s happening inside your head,” Maddie said softly, “We’ll figure it out together. We’ll get your

answers.”

I swallowed, “It’s not that easy…”

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