Chapter 9
The grand ballroom emptied rapidly, leaving only the hardened, heavily armed core of the Moretti syndicate. The bright, cinematic lighting cast long, dramatic shadows across the marble floors as the capos gathered around their leader. Galen stood at the head of the long engagement table, his hands resting flat on the mahogany surface, his deeply masculine frame radiating an aura of cold, calculating violence.
"We have a problem, Boss," a senior capo named Elias stated, his American accent tight with tension. He was a white American male in his late forties, wearing a tailored suit and a grim expression. "Ainsley wasn't just boasting. The Vale family has deep ties with the Russian factions in the north. They were using this marriage to secure an alliance against us."
"I am well aware of the Vale family's connections," Galen replied, his raspy voice low and measured. "They thought a ring on her finger would give them a blood claim to our ports. They thought I was distracted by my daughter."
"If we humiliated her tonight, her father will not let it stand," Elias warned, adjusting his luxury wristwatch. "Senator Vale will view this as an act of war. He will mobilize the Russians. We could be facing a full-scale assault on the eastern borders by tomorrow morning."
"Let them come," Galen said softly, a dark, terrifying smile touching the corners of his lips.
The capos exchanged surprised glances. They knew their Boss was fearless, but welcoming a war with a unified political and mafia alliance was a massive escalation.
"You want us to prepare for war, Galen?" another capo asked, confirming the order.
"I want you to strike first," Galen commanded, his eyes narrowing into cold, lethal slits. He stood up straight, his commanding presence demanding absolute obedience. "I do not wait for my enemies to knock on my door. The Vales think they hold the cards because they have political cover. By sunrise, I want to prove them wrong."
"What are your orders, Boss?" Elias asked, pulling a secure, encrypted smartphone from his pocket.
"Mobilize every strike team we have in the city," Galen ordered, his voice vibrating with apocalyptic intent. "I want the northern warehouses locked down. I want the Russian supply lines severed. And I want a heavy security detail placed around every single business owned by the Vale family."
"We are taking their territory?" Elias asked, adrenaline bleeding into his voice.
"We are burning it to the ground," Galen corrected coldly. "They brought a threat into my home. They put their hands on my bloodline. The price for that transgression is total eradication. Arm the men. We ride at midnight."
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"Yes, Boss!" the capos roared in unison, fueled by the terrifying, unyielding strength of their leader.
The men scattered instantly, rushing to coordinate the massive, multi-front assault. Galen remained at the table for a moment, adjusting his tailored suit jacket. He had protected his daughter, but the true cost of that protection was about to be paid in blood. He turned and walked toward the heavy mahogany doors, ready to lead his army into the dark.
