Chapter 6 - The Council of Wolves
While Elena slept under medical supervision, Dante sat at the head of the massive mahogany table in the private study of the Commonwealth penthouse.
Around the table sat the four remaining capos of the Russo syndicate—men who controlled the shipping docks, the financial districts, and the municipal contracts across Massachusetts. They had heard the rumors about Victoria’s removal and the sudden reappearance of a ghost from the past.
"Dante," Marcus, the oldest and most trusted capo, spoke up, leaning forward with his hands clasped on the wood. "Word on the street is you’ve stripped Victoria of her executive authority. The board is in an uproar. Some of the older families think you’re letting personal emotion disrupt the syndicate."
Dante poured himself a glass of dark bourbon, swirling the liquid slowly before looking up at the men who had served his father.
"My mother attempted to murder the mother of my children and hid my heirs for six years to secure a corporate merger," Dante said, his voice dropping into a lethal, quiet tone that made the hairs on the back of Marcus’s neck stand up. "If any man in this room believes that is 'personal emotion' rather than a direct, treasonous betrayal of the Russo bloodline, speak up now."
Silence settled over the table like a lead blanket.
Marcus cleared his throat. "Nobody is questioning your judgment, Boss. But Victoria still holds forty percent of the voting shares in the shipping conglomerate. If she takes this to the civil courts or calls an emergency board meeting, she could freeze our accounts."
"She won't be calling any board meetings," a cold voice echoed from the doorway.
Nico stepped into the study, tossing a heavy leather briefcase onto the mahogany table. It popped open to reveal stacks of signed documents, bank statements, and recorded phone transcripts.
"What is that?" Marcus asked, picking up the top document.
"Evidence of Victoria’s clandestine dealings with the Moretti syndicate," Nico said smoothly. "While she was preaching family purity and loyalty to us, she was secretly funneling port access permits to our biggest rivals behind Dante’s back. All signed with her personal seal."
Dante took a slow sip of his bourbon, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the papers. "She didn't just betray Elena. She betrayed the entire organization for her own ego."
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"She’s scheduled to fly to Zurich tomorrow morning," Nico added. "She’s liquidating her personal accounts to buy off the regional judges."
Dante stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. "Not anymore. Marcus, take twenty men and secure the airport hangars. Nico, you’re with me. We’re going to pay my mother one final visit before she catches her flight."
