Chapter 5 - Shadows of Long Island
The Falcone estate on Long Island was an imposing fortress overlooking the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Iron gates, armed guards on high towers, and attack dogs made it virtually impenetrable.
Inside the lavish study, Marco Vane paced nervously, downing his third glass of scotch. Across the desk sat Don Victor Falcone, an old, frail-looking man with snake-like eyes who had run his family for forty years.
"You promised me he would be dead before midnight, Marco," Victor said coldly, swirling his drink. "Instead, you failed to kill a maid and a child, and now Lorenzo knows everything."
"It doesn't matter!" Marco spat, his voice edged with frenzy. "I have half the capos in the DeLuca family locked down under my payroll! We declare war tonight! Lorenzo is weak—he’s blinded by his dead wife and his brat!"
"Is he?"
A voice echoed from the shadows near the balcony doors.
Marco whipped around, drawing his gun. Victor stood up slowly, his bodyguards instantly raising their submachine guns.
The high glass doors of the balcony shattered inward in a shower of crystal. Lorenzo DeLuca stepped into the room, flanked by six men in full tactical gear. Rain dripped from Lorenzo's long black leather coat. He looked like an pale shadow of vengeance.
"How... how did you get past the security gates?" Victor Falcone stammered, his old composure breaking.
"Your guards are loyal to money, Victor," Lorenzo said smoothly, stepping into the dim light of the study. "I am loyal to family. Money loses its value when you offer men their lives."
Lorenzo motioned with his hand. Out from the hallway stepped four capos from the Falcone family itself, their hands zip-tied, guarded by Lorenzo's men. Lorenzo had bought off Victor's own lieutenants in less than two hours.
Marco backed away toward the desk, his gun shaking. "Lorenzo... listen to me... it was Victor! Victor planned the hit on the bridge! He wanted Isabella dead because her father refused to sell the docks!"
Victor's eyes widened. "You lying parasite! You brought the plan to me!"
Lorenzo walked forward, ignoring the guns, ignoring the frantic arguments of the two men who had destroyed his life. He stopped three feet from Marco.
"You told me she died in the fire," Lorenzo said softly. "You let me put an empty coffin into the dirt, Marco. We grew up together. I called you brother."
"I wanted what was mine!" Marco screamed, losing his sanity entirely. He raised his gun to shoot Lorenzo point-blank.
Lorenzo didn't even flinch. He grabbed Marco's wrist, disarming him in a fluid motion, and drove a heavy knee into Marco's chest. Marco fell to his knees, coughing up blood.
Lorenzo turned his gaze to Victor Falcone.
"Your family is finished, Victor," Lorenzo stated calmly. "As of this moment, the Falcone family assets are seized by the Council. You will spend the rest of your short life in an exile of my choosing. If I ever see your face in New York again, I will bury you alive."
Victor, seeing his empire crumble in a single night, fell back into his chair, utterly broken.
May you like
Lorenzo then looked down at Marco.
"And for you, my brother... death is too quick." Lorenzo motioned to the Butcher. "Take him to the harbor warehouse. Let him think about empty coffins for a very long time."
