Chapter 8 - The Council of Wolves
"You have no proof that liquid was poison!" Dominic shrieked, backing toward the side exit. "It was a health supplement! I was trying to help him sleep!"
"The laboratory report signed by the State Medical Examiner confirms the chemical contents of that specific teacup, Dominic," Adrian said calmly, walking down the steps of the dais toward his brother. "And last night, your private mercenary team breached the west wing to execute me before this meeting could take place."
Leo stepped forward, dropping six tactical identification badges belonging to Dominic's private strike team onto the floor at Dominic's feet.
"They've already confessed to federal prosecutors, Dominic," Leo reported flatly. "They gave up the offshore account numbers you used to pay them."
The senior captains of the Moretti syndicate stood up in unison, pulling their weapons and pointing them directly at Dominic.
In the underworld, business rivalries were tolerated, but poisoning your own blood to steal the crown was an unforgivable sin that carried only one penalty.
"Adrian... please," Dominic whimpered, dropping to his knees on the cold marble floor, his arrogance evaporating into pathetic tears. "We're brothers! Father told us to keep the family together! I did it for the family!"
"You did it for greed, Dominic," Adrian said, looking down at his brother with a profound, solemn sadness. "You took three years of my life. You made me doubt my own sanity. You put a three-year-old child in danger in my own home."
Adrian turned to Leo.
"Take him to the federal precinct in Manhattan," Adrian ordered, choosing a sentence far worse than death for a proud mafia prince. "Hand over all the forged Panama corporate filings to the District Attorney. Strip him of his name, his trust accounts, and his seat on this board forever."
Dominic screamed and fought as Leo and two guards dragged him backward out of the grand hall, his manic cries echoing through the corridors until the heavy oak doors slammed shut.
The grand hall went completely quiet.
The thirty captains and board members looked at Adrian, standing tall, unbroken, and completely restored to his full power.
Director Vance bowed his head respectfully. "The house belongs to you, Boss. As it always has."
Every man in the room stood up and bowed their heads in absolute loyalty.
May you like
Adrian didn't look at the men bowing before him.
He looked past them, toward the back of the room, where Clara was standing near the doorway, holding little Lily in her arms. Lily gave him a tiny wave with her gray rabbit, her bright smile lighting up the gloomy, rain-streaked hall.
