The pediatric procedure room was far too quiet, save for the rhythmic beep of a vitals monitor and the soft humming of the fluorescent lights overhead.

The executive boardroom on the top floor of the Carter Tower in River North was filled with smoke, hushed whispers, and tenseness sharp enough to cut with a knife.

Seated around the heavy mahogany table were twelve men—the captains and capos who controlled the gambling, logistics, real estate, and union operations across Illinois and Indiana.

At the head of the table sat Julian Carter, a glass of crystal whiskey in his hand, looking down at his watch.

"It’s 12:05 PM," Julian announced, his voice carrying clearly over the murmur of the room. "The chief surgeon at St. Catherine’s has confirmed that David suffered catastrophic internal hemorrhaging. He is unresponsive and unable to carry out his duties as head of this family."

A heavy murmur went through the room.

"So what are you proposing, Julian?" asked Sal Moretti, an elderly capo who had served David’s father thirty years ago. "You want us to vote you in as head of the family while your brother is still breathing in an ICU?"

"I’m proposing survival, Sal!" Julian snapped, slamming his glass onto the table. "Our enemies in New York and Detroit know David is down! If we don't show strength today, they’ll carve up our territory by the weekend! As David’s brother, I am taking control of the family assets, effective immediately."

"Over my dead body," a voice roared from the double doors at the back of the room.

The heavy mahogany doors slammed open, bouncing off the walls with a thunderous crash.

Julian froze. The twelve capos jumped to their feet.

David Carter stepped into the boardroom.

He wore his tailored dark suit, his tie neatly knotted, his face pale but his eyes burning with an terrifying, lethal dominance that made every man in the room instantly bow their heads. Behind him walked Marcus and ten armed enforcers, their jackets unbuttoned, hands resting on their weapons.

"David..." Julian gasped, his face turning ghost-white, his glass slipping from his hand and shattering on the hardwood floor. "You... you were in surgery—"

"I was," David said smoothly, walking slowly down the length of the long mahogany table toward Julian. Every step he took was calculated, powerful, commanding absolute authority. "And thanks to a miracle, I am standing right here."

David stopped at the head of the table, towering over Julian, who was shaking in his leather chair.

"I hear you were telling my capos that I was unfit to lead," David said softly, leaning down, placing both palms flat on the table, staring directly into Julian’s terrified eyes. "I hear you were threatening women and children in pediatric hospital rooms."

A gasp went around the table. Sal Moretti’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Julian. "You threatened a child, Julian?"

"He lied to you!" Julian stammered frantically, looking around the room for support, but every capo turned their backs on him. "David is weak! He’s compromised! He has an illegitimate bastard child hiding in Wisconsin!"

SMACK.

David’s backhand struck Julian across the face with explosive force, sending Julian spilling out of his chair onto the floor, blood trickling from his lip.

"Do not ever speak that word in my presence again," David growled, his voice echoing like thunder through the boardroom. "That child is my daughter. She is a Carter. And anyone who touches a single hair on her head will be buried beneath six feet of concrete."

Julian cowered on the floor, holding his bloody jaw, looking up at his brother in sheer terror.

"Marcus," David commanded without looking away. "Strip Julian of his assets. Take his keys, his phone, and his security detail. Put him on a cargo ship to Europe tonight. If he ever sets foot in North America again, kill him."

"Yes, Boss," Marcus said, grabbing Julian by his collar and dragging him out of the boardroom while Julian wept and begged for mercy.

David straightened his jacket, turned around, and looked at the twelve capos standing around the table.

"Does anyone else have a question about who leads this family?" David asked quietly.