Chapter 7 - THE FIVE FAMILIES CHOOSE SIDES
The dons gathered inside Verrone Hall before sunset.
Damiano displayed Isabella’s financial records on the ballroom screen.
Silvio’s companies had diverted money from hospitals into weapons routes.
Two other families had unknowingly transported the shipments.
A third had received profits through shell accounts.
The men in the room were not offended by crime.
They were offended by deception.
Silvio had used their names without sharing control.
Don Carlo Moretti struck the table.
“He made us vulnerable to federal charges.”
Don Emilio Russo looked toward Damiano.
“And you expect us to believe Verrone money did not fund this willingly?”
“My wife discovered the theft.”
“Your wife is dead.”
“No.”
Damiano played Silvio’s video.
Isabella appeared.
The room shifted.
Dead women did not speak.
Every calculation changed.
“Silvio has held her for three years,” Damiano said.
“He used her signature to move foundation assets.”
“He intends to eliminate Mia and force a final transfer.”
Several dons looked toward the staircase.
Mia was not there.
Rafael had taken her and Sofia to a secure apartment beneath a church in Brooklyn.
Only three people knew the location.
Damiano continued.
“Tomorrow night, I go to the docks.”
“Anyone supporting Silvio can stand beside him.”
“Anyone supporting the old agreement between the families will stand aside.”
Carlo Moretti smiled.
“You are asking permission to start a war.”
“No.”
Damiano looked around the room.
“I am telling you where the war ends.”
Emilio Russo stood.
“If Silvio dies, Marchetti territory becomes unstable.”
“His captains will divide it.”
“Then choose one before midnight.”
The oldest don, Matteo Leone, studied Damiano.
“What do you offer the families?”
“Proof that Silvio betrayed all of us.”
“Control of the docks transferred equally for one year.”
“And no retaliation against men who surrender before the exchange.”
Matteo nodded.
“Reasonable.”
Carlo laughed.
“Since when does Damiano Verrone become reasonable?”
Damiano thought of Mia.
“Since someone asked me to talk first.”
The dons made their choices.
Three agreed to remain neutral.
One promised men.
Emilio refused to declare loyalty.
He left through the east doors without shaking Damiano’s hand.
Rafael called twenty minutes later.
“Mia is gone.”
Damiano’s body became cold.
“What happened?”
“The church was compromised.”
“How?”
“Sofia received a message from Isabella’s number.”
“It said a woman was waiting outside with proof.”
“She left the safe room.”
“Mia followed her.”
“Where are they now?”
“Sofia is unconscious in the alley.”
“Mia was taken.”
Damiano closed his eyes.
Only three people knew the church.
Damiano.
Rafael.
And the priest who owned the building.
The priest had served the Verrone family for forty years.
Trust collapsed another step.
A message appeared on the ballroom screen.
Mia sat inside a warehouse chair.
Her wrists were tied with red ribbon.
She was not crying.
Silvio stood behind her.
“You should have accepted my first offer.”
Damiano approached the screen.
“If you hurt her, there will be no family left to remember your name.”
Silvio smiled.
“You are already losing control.”
“No.”
Damiano’s voice remained calm.
“I am learning what matters enough to destroy it for.”
Silvio lifted Mia’s red heart.
“Midnight.”
“The docks.”
“Come alone.”
The screen went black.
Carlo Moretti looked toward Damiano.
“You cannot go alone.”
Damiano picked up Isabella’s drive.
“I will not.”
He turned toward the assembled dons.
“Mia asked for a father for one day.”
May you like
His eyes became colder than the marble beneath them.
“Tonight, she gets an army.”
