Chapter 7 - The Bloodline Clause
The nine syndicate bosses looked at Don Falcone, their expressions turning cold and murderous. In their world, attempting to assassinate another boss's child was an unpardonable breach of the syndicate covenant.
"Falcone," the senior Council dean growled, his hand drifting toward his jacket. "Is this true?"
Falcone backed away from the marble table, his two bodyguards drawing their sidearms. "Bellacosta is lying! He's trying to consolidate power before the midnight deadline!"
Victor didn't wait for the Council to act.
Moving with blinding speed, Victor drew his heavy tactical sidearm and fired two precise shots. Falcone's two bodyguards collapsed to the marble floor before they could even level their weapons.
Victor stepped forward, grabbing Falcone by his lapels, and slammed his broad frame against the marble table, pressing the warm barrel of his gun directly against Falcone's forehead.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't end your family line right now," Victor growled, his deep voice shaking the chandeliers.
"Victor... wait!" Celeste shrieked, backing toward the glass balcony doors. "If you kill Falcone, you break the Council truce! You'll be stripped of the Bellacosta estate anyway!"
"The truce was broken the moment you put poison near my daughter, Celeste," Victor said without taking his eyes off Falcone.
He looked at the remaining eight bosses sitting around the table. "Gentlemen. Under Section Nine of the founding charter, an attack on a boss's heir forfeits all territory claims held by the offending family. I demand an immediate vote of execution against Don Falcone and the immediate dissolution of his syndicate."
The eight bosses looked at each other, then slowly raised their hands one by one in unanimous agreement.
Falcone wept, begging for mercy, but Victor didn't hesitate. He pulled the trigger.
A single suppressed shot echoed through the penthouse ballroom. Falcone went limp, falling onto the marble floor.
Victor turned his gaze slowly toward Celeste, who was now trembling violently against the balcony glass.
"Your turn, Celeste," Victor said softly.
Celeste reached into her beaded clutch, pulling out a small electronic remote trigger with a flashing red light.
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"Step back, Victor!" she screamed, her voice hysterical. "This trigger is synced to the subterranean charges beneath the vineyard fortress! If my thumb leaves this button, the entire lodge collapses on your daughter!"
Victor froze. The atmosphere in the ballroom turned into absolute ice.
