The Crown That Fell

"A kidnapper's gun was pressed to Lena's temple and mine, the whole scene streaming live online."Nolan," the kidnapper said, "your wife, Donna, or your first love. Only one of them walks away alive. Choose."On the other side of the screen, my husband, Don Nolan Winston, head of the Winston family, did not hesitate for even a second."Let Lena go. As for that woman, do whatever you want with her."I looked into the camera and laughed until tears ran down my face.For seven years, I had stood by him as he rose from the Winston family's illegitimate son to the first Don of the Italvia mafia. I had taken knives for him, drunk with him, even lost a child along the way.So in the end, in his eyes, I had been nothing more than a pawn he could discard at any moment."Did you hear that?" the kidnapper sneered at me.I turned and ran toward the cliff. Facing the camera, I spoke my final words."Nolan, I'm giving this life back to you. We're even now.""