Chapter 7 - The Gathering of the Syndicate Capos
The grand boardroom of the Romano estate was packed to capacity. Around the massive, polished oval table sat the twelve regional capos of the syndicate—seasoned veterans, hardened veterans of turf wars, and high-ranking lieutenants who controlled every major shipping lane, financial district, and distribution network from the coast to the capital.
A heavy tension hung in the air like smoke. Word had already filtered through the lower ranks about the morning's dramatic events: the foiled assassination attempt, the capture of Dante Moretti, and the sudden, unannounced purge of internal corruption.
The heavy double doors swung open, and Alessandro walked in.
Every single capo stood up instantly in rigid, uniform silence. Alessandro did not acknowledge them with a nod. He walked straight to the head of the table, his dark coat sweeping behind him, and sat down with a quiet, authoritative thud.
"Sit," he commanded.
They sat as one.
"You all know why you are here," Alessandro began, his voice cutting across the silent room with razor-like precision. "This morning, an attempt was made on my life. Not by an external rival launching a random raid, but by an inside job—orchestrated by my own betrothed in collusion with Dante Moretti."
Murmurs rippled through the table. Capos exchanged uneasy glances. Moretti's name carried weight, and the fact that he had managed to compromise the Romano household shook the foundation of their collective security.
"Moretti is currently in our custody," Alessandro continued, holding up a hand to quiet the murmurs. "His entire operation on the eastern docks has been seized, his financial accounts frozen, and his primary lieutenants neutralized. The eastern territory is now ours. Every port, every warehouse, every supply line."
A collective intake of breath echoed through the room. The acquisition of Moretti’s territory overnight was the largest expansion of the Romano syndicate in a decade.
"However," Alessandro continued, his voice dropping an octave, the temperature in the room plunging noticeably, "expansion means nothing if the foundation is rotten. Some of you wondered if there were others involved. If Moretti had additional informants within our own ranks."
Alessandro leaned forward, resting his heavy palms on the wood, his dark eyes sweeping slowly around the table, locking gazes with every single capo.
"Let me make this crystal clear," Alessandro said, every word dripping with lethal intent. "The traitor is exposed. The conspiracy is dismantled. But let this serve as a permanent reminder to everyone in this room: loyalty to this family is absolute. Anyone who thinks they can sell out the Romano name for a piece of another man's pie will share Moretti's fate. Am I understood?"
"Crystal clear, Boss," the capos chorused in unison, bowing their heads slightly in absolute submission.
Alessandro nodded once. "Meeting adjourned. Marco, stay behind."
As the twelve capos filed out of the boardroom in quiet, orderly haste, Marco remained standing near the door, stepping closer to the table once the heavy oak panels clicked shut.
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"Boss," Marco said quietly. "Moretti is in the basement holding cell. He’s asking to speak with you."
A cold, calculating smile touched the corner of Alessandro’s mouth. "Is he? Well, it would be rude to keep a defeated guest waiting."
