Chapter 2
Nobody left the estate.
Lorenzo did not need to order it twice.
The gates closed.
Phones were collected from family members involved in the confrontation.
Evelyn watched the process from a pool chair.
Her dress was still damp with lemonade.
Her confidence had returned.
“That should help.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“What?”
Her lips curved.
“Locking everyone inside after beating two relatives.”
Marcus sat several yards away with ice against his ribs.
He smiled.
“She has a point.”
Lorenzo’s eyes stayed on him.
Marcus’s smile widened.
That was what he wanted.
Lorenzo angry.
Reactive.
Public.
Anthony returned from the security room carrying a tablet.
“The council clip was tagged emergency review.”
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened.
“By who?”
Anthony hesitated.
That pause irritated him.
“Anthony.”
“Marcus.”
No surprise.
Then Anthony continued.
“But he couldn't have activated the review by himself.”
Lorenzo looked up.
Family rules required five council endorsements before an emergency leadership review could begin.
Marcus had one.
Evelyn controlled another through her donor committee seat.
Three senior capos had already added signatures.
Before the party.
Lorenzo slowly looked around the patio.
Three men avoided his eyes.
Power changed shape immediately.
Marcus lowered the ice pack.
His voice was smoother now.
“You’ve spent years telling everyone rules matter.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
Marcus’s smile held.
“So let them.”
The emergency petition accused Lorenzo of escalating violence, making impulsive decisions around Leo, and placing family businesses at risk whenever his son was involved.
The language was detailed.
Dates.
Previous incidents.
Witnesses.
This had not been drafted after the pool fight.
It had been prepared for weeks.
Lorenzo read the final section.
One more signature would trigger temporary suspension pending a council hearing.
Four signatures appeared.
The fifth line was blank.
He looked at Anthony.
“Who were they waiting for?”
Anthony said nothing.
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed.
“Who?”
Anthony’s hand tightened around the tablet.
Then he turned it.
The fifth name had appeared while they were talking.
DOMINIC RUSSO.
Lorenzo stopped breathing.
Dominic had been his consigliere for twenty-two years.
Leo called him Uncle Dom.
Lorenzo had trusted him with bank codes, safe houses, and his son.
Marcus watched the realization hit.
Then smiled.
“You wanted to know who thinks Leo matters too much?”
May you like
He leaned forward.
“Start with the man who taught you how to be boss.”
