Cassandra had been the top-ranked mistress for almost two years. She was the Don's favorite, not because she was the most beautiful, but because she understood survival.
She controlled the other girls. She decided who got access. Who got gifts. Who got punished. And now, Eliana's presence seems to be threatening that balance.
The Don started asking Eliana questions during dinner. He permits only her to pour his wine, sometimes he prefers her sitting next to him. Cassandra noticed the shift and became jealous.
One night, during a gathering of high-ranking capos and foreign buyers, Cassandra made her move.
The dining hall was heavy with cigar smoke and expensive cologne. Laughter echoed across marble walls as men discussed weapons shipments and trafficking routes as casually as farmers discussed harvests.
Eliana stood silently beside the Don's chair, refilling his glass before he asked.
Cassandra rose gracefully from her seat.
"My Don," she purred, smiling sweetly. "There is something you should know."
The hall quieted.
The Don did not look at her.
"Speak."
Cassandra's eyes flicked toward Eliana.
"This new girl….." pointing at Eliana, before continuing "She wanders corridors she shouldn't. She speaks to guards privately. I fear…" Cassandra lowered her voice. "…she may have ulterior motives."
Eliana did not react. Inside, her pulse slowed.
The Don finally looked at Eliana.
His gaze was unreadable.
"Is that true?"
Eliana lowered her eyes, picturing her face to look more obedient and submissive as ever.
"I go where I am told, my Don."
Cassandra laughed softly. "She lies. I saw her near the vault corridor two nights ago."
That was half truth. yes, Eliana had wandered passed the vault corridor once, but she didn't go close to it. She was only trying to confirm the frequency of guards.
The Don leaned back in his chair.
"Leave us."
The room emptied quickly, leaving only the Don, Cassandra and Eliana. And two armed guards.
The Don stood.
"Cassandra."
She straightened.
"what happens to those who are disloyal to me??"
Cassandra nodded. "Death." she smiled, dragging the word slowly in her mouth.
Eliana's heart did not flinch. Death had been decided for her the day she was sold.
The Don walked toward Eliana slowly.
"Look at me." She raised her head slowly and met his gaze. His cold grey eyes studies her.
"If I find you are spying," he said quietly, "I will not kill you quickly. You will suffer, beg for death and it will not come too easy"
Cassandra's lips curved faintly, as Eliana bowed her head.
"I have nowhere else to belong, my Don." she said, voice low and cracked "I was sold by my father and know no where".
He circled her.
"You were sold by your father. interesting"
"You begged for your sister, but I didn't turn"
"Yes."
'thats enough reason to hate me, do you?"
Eliana lifted her gaze carefully.
"No."
He paused.
"Why?"
Because hatred clouds judgment, because I need you alive. Because you are my ladder. So many reasons flooded her mind but she said softly- "You gave me survival."
Cassandra's smile faltered. The Don studied her a long moment. Then he turned to one of the guards.
"Bring the accountant."
Minutes later, a nervous man was dragged into the hall.
The Don faced Eliana.
"You say you are loyal."
"Yes."
"Prove it."
He handed her a gun.
Cassandra's eyes wildened, this was not how she had planned it to turn.
"The accountant skimmed money from my shipment last week and you discovered."
The man fell to his knees. "My Don, mercy...."
The Don did not look at him. His eyes went to Eliana.
"Kill him."
Cassandra watched eagerly.
She felt broken, she had never killed someone before but she needed to prove herself strong, to save her own head. She pointed the gun at the man kneeling and pleading, she tried to hide her softness.
This would expose her softness. The gun felt heavy in her hand.
The accountant sobbed one last time.
"Eliana, please....."
She did not hesitate. She pulled the trigger, one clean and precise shot and silence followed as the body fell to the ground lifeless.
Blood spread across marble. Eliana lowered the gun calmly and placed it back in the Don's hand.
"I do not question your enemies," she said softly.
Cassandra's face drained of color.
The Don studied Eliana for a long time.
Then he smiled "Good."
He turned to Cassandra.
"You were wrong."
Cassandra quickly bowed. "Forgive me, my Don."
"Leave."
Cassandra left, but before she left, she casted Eliana a look filled with venom. A look that says_ this is just the beginning...
The Don stepped closer.
"You did not show fear."
"No."
"Why?"
Eliana held his gaze.
"Because fear is a luxury."
Then he reached out, lifting her chin with two fingers.
"You will dine beside me from now on. You will bleed beside me "
"I will stand beside you Don, no matter the war, Where you fight, I fight."
Cassandra had just lost ground and Eliana had just climbed another step.
Later that night, alone in her chamber, Eliana washed blood from her hands, she stared at the water as it turns red.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror.
"You're becoming him," a small voice whispered inside her "a monster"
No! She tried to convince herself, I am becoming stronger, stronger than him but not a monster.
She dried her hands. Then pulled out her small journal hidden beneath her mattress.
Guard rotations... confirmed.
Accountant replaced ... likely internal shift in financial oversight.
Cassandra... unstable, Emotional. Dangerous and needs to be dealt with.
And with that She closed the notebook and tucked it back under her mattress.
Upstairs, laughter echoed as men toasted another profitable shipment. While Eliana climbed the throne built on blood, her sister Diane was learning how to survive in a cage far worse than hers.