Chapter 12 - THE SHADOW OF THE PAST|
The peace did not last long.
Late one night, Vincent sat in his study at his heavily guarded mansion, looking over a financial report. The phone on his desk rang—a secure, encrypted line that only three people possessed.
"Speak," Vincent commanded.
"Boss, we have a problem," Tony’s voice sounded tense over the static. "The Moretti family just made a move. They seized two of our warehouses in Cicero."
Vincent’s eyes narrowed. "Moretti is getting ambitious."
"It's worse than that, Don Vincent," Tony continued. "Frank Moretti is spreading rumors. He’s telling the other families that you've gone soft because of that florist and her kid. He said you're distracted."
Vincent slowly closed the folder on his desk. "Where is Frank Moretti right now?"
"He's hosting a party at the Diamond Club downtown. Celebrating his 'expansion.'"
Vincent stood up, pulling a heavy silver automatic pistol from his desk drawer and checking the magazine with practiced efficiency.
"Assemble the team," Vincent ordered coldly. "It’s time to remind the city why my name used to frighten them."
Two hours later, the Diamond Club’s back doors were kicked off their hinges.
Frank Moretti, a arrogant mobster in his late forty, sat surrounded by his lieutenants when Vincent’s men poured into the room like shadows. Within thirty seconds, Moretti’s guards were disarmed and forced to their knees.
Vincent walked into the VIP room, his footsteps echoing ominously.
"Vincent!" Moretti gasped, backing away until he hit the bar. "Look, we can negotiate! Cicero was always neutral territory!"
Vincent didn't argue. He walked up, grabbed Moretti by his silk tie, and dragged him across the bar, smashing a thousand-dollar bottle of whiskey next to his head.
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"Listen to me carefully, Frank," Vincent whispered into his ear, his voice dripping with venom. "You can fight me for territory. You can fight me for money. But if you ever mention Elena Martinez or her daughter again, I won't just take your business—I will erase your entire family line from history. Do you understand me?"
Moretti trembled violently, nodding his head in utter terror. "I understand! I swear to God, I understand!"
