Chapter 17 - The Confession
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Charles Harland was a broken man. He was trembling violently, his expensive suit ruined with dirt and sweat from his time spent in Luca’s interrogation basement.
He looked up at the terrifying circle of mafia bosses, realizing he was a dead man no matter what he said. But a quick death from Luca was preferable to whatever torture Falcone would invent if he lied.
“It... it was Moretti,” Harland stammered, tears streaming down his bruised face. “He paid me two million dollars to hand over the security rotation codes for the Ferraro estate. He knew Mr. Ferraro was out of town. He wanted to kill the mother and the child to send a message.”
The room grew tense. Killing a rival boss was business. Targeting women and children inside a private home was a severe violation of the old mafia codes, even among monsters.
“Is this true?” Falcone demanded, looking at the other bosses.
“I swear it!” Harland cried. “Moretti said Ferraro had gone soft over a maid! He wanted to burn the house down with them inside!”
Elena sat perfectly still, her face an unreadable mask of ice. She didn't flinch at the word 'maid.' She looked directly at Falcone, her dark eyes burning with undeniable authority.
“Dominic Moretti attacked my home,” Elena said, her voice clear and commanding, carrying effortlessly across the large room. “He sent men with assault rifles to murder my three-year-old daughter while she was coloring in her room. Luca Ferraro did not break a truce. He defended his blood.”
Russo slammed his fist on the table. “She isn't his blood! She’s a servant!”
Before Luca could react, Elena stood up.
She walked slowly around the massive table, stopping directly behind Russo’s chair. The Miami boss stiffened as she leaned down, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper that everyone could hear.
“I am the woman who holds the heart of the most dangerous man in this room,” Elena said coldly. “If you think my title matters more than his devotion, you are a fool. If you want a war, vote against him. But know this: Luca will not stop until every single one of your empires is reduced to ash. He burned Moretti to the ground for a child’s tears. Imagine what he will do to you for disrespecting his wife.”
The silence that followed was absolute.
Russo swallowed hard, a bead of sweat tracing down his temple. He looked across the table at Luca, who was watching Elena with a terrifying, proud smile, his hand resting casually on the gun in his waistband.
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“Moretti broke the code,” Falcone finally said, clearing his throat. He looked at Elena with newfound respect. “The execution was justified. The territory belongs to Ferraro.”
The vote was unanimous. The war was averted.
