Chapter 19
The atmosphere inside the Falcone estate transitioned from a state of siege to a heavily armed war room. Domenico sat at the head of the table, his heavily tattooed hands resting on the polished wood. The reports from the city were grim but victorious; the Cole operations were crumbling. Yet, Domenico’s expression remained an unreadable mask of cold stone. He knew Silas Cole. The old man would not surrender, and a cornered rat was the most dangerous kind of enemy. The heavy doors to the war room opened, and Tony, the head of security, stepped in, looking unusually pale. "Boss," Tony said, his voice tense. "We just received a package at the eastern gate. A messenger delivered it under a white flag." Domenico’s eyes narrowed. "Bring it." A small, velvet-lined box was placed carefully on the table. Domenico opened it slowly. Inside lay a small, polished silver locket. Domenico recognized it instantly; it belonged to his stepson, Ethan. Beneath the locket was a handwritten note on thick, expensive paper. Domenico unfolded it, his jaw clenching so tightly the muscles leaped beneath his skin. The note was brief. 'The boy's life for the girl's. Pier 44. Midnight. Come alone.' Silas was willing to sacrifice his own grandson, Valentina's child, to secure his empire. Domenico stared at the note, the silence in the room stretching into a suffocating eternity.
