Chapter 17 - Blood on the Ledgers
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While Adelaide handled the financial executions, Mateo handled the physical ones.
Later that afternoon, Mateo went down to the soundproof warehouse at the edge of the property. Dante was strapped to a metal chair in the center of the cold concrete floor, battered and bleeding from the interrogation.
Mateo stood before his former underboss, his face a mask of absolute, unforgiving stone.
“You sold me out for a cheap payout and a few hours in bed with Evelyn Jones,” Mateo said, his voice echoing in the empty space. “You thought I was getting soft. You thought the syndicate was yours to take.”
Dante spit blood onto the floor, laughing bitterly. “You are soft, Mateo. You let a woman run your books. You let a scarred little freak dictate family business. The other bosses won't respect you for this.”
Mateo didn't yell. He didn't argue. He simply drew a heavy, suppressed pistol from his shoulder holster.
“The other bosses will respect the fact that I rooted out a traitor in less than a week,” Mateo said coldly. “And they will fear the woman who found you.”
Mateo raised the gun.
“Wait,” Dante choked out, sudden panic flashing in his eyes as he realized there would be no grand villain monologue, no chance for escape.
“Goodbye, Dante.”
Pfft.
The suppressed gunshot was quiet, but final. Dante slumped forward in his chair.
Mateo turned to Marco, his loyal captain who had stood silently by the door.
“Clean this up,” Mateo ordered. “And send a message to the other families. The Moretti syndicate is stronger than ever. If anyone questions my wife’s authority again, they will share Dante’s fate.”
“Yes, Boss,” Marco nodded with deep respect.
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Mateo walked out of the warehouse, leaving the betrayal and the blood behind him. He walked back toward the main house, looking up at the large window of the master office. He could see Adelaide’s silhouette pacing back and forth, dominating her new empire.
He had never felt more powerful than he did knowing she was on his side.
