Chapter 6 - Shadows Over Port Aurelia
Three days had passed since the incident in the grand foyer, and the underground world of Port Aurelia was already shifting like tectonic plates beneath an earthquake.
The disappearance of Victor Corsini and his top enforcers wasn't reported to the police—men of their station didn't exist on public records. But within forty-eight hours, every major syndicate boss from Miami to Marseille knew the truth: Holden Cross had broken the fragile truce.
Inside the subterranean briefing room beneath the estate, the digital tactical maps glowed with dozens of red indicators marking Corsini assets across the tri-state area.
Marcus stood beside the console, clicking through surveillance feeds. "The remaining captains are consolidating in the warehouse district down by the container yards. They're panicking, Boss. They know Victor is gone, and they know we have the Palermo ledger."
Holden stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed over his chest, his face carved from ice. "They should be panicking. They spent twelve years hunting ghosts. It's time we remind them who the monsters really are."
"What about the girl?" Marcus hesitated, glancing toward the heavy steel door. "With all due respect, Holden, a full-scale war is about to drop on our doorstep. Keeping a child in the middle of a syndicate bloodbath—"
"Lily stays where I can see her," Holden interrupted, his voice dropping into a tone that brooked no further argument. "And she isn't unprotected. Phantom hasn't left her side since the night she arrived. She has better security than half my battalion."
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Marcus nodded slowly, knowing better than to argue further. "Understood. When do we move?"
"Tonight," Holden said, grabbing his heavy leather coat from the back of the chair. "Before they have time to organize a counter-offensive. We take the docks back."
