Chapter 8 - Deadly silence fills the grand hall as a ruthless mob boss demands to know who ordered the execution of his innocent grandchild in this room.
The echoes of the morning's confrontation slowly dissolved into the sterile atmosphere of the grand funeral hall.
Salvatore stood upright, adjusting the gold tie over his burgundy dress shirt with precise, mechanical movements.
He glanced up at the massive stained-glass windows depicting historic American scenes bathed in amber morning light.
His mind raced through the list of syndicate captains who might have financed Marcus's treasonous betrayal.
Power vacuums were dangerous things, but an inside job required a traitor with deep financial leverage.
"Did Marcus act alone?" Salvatore asked aloud, addressing the silent room more than his assembled men.
The lead enforcer stepped forward from the shadows near the altar, holding a secure encrypted tablet.
"We decrypted Marcus's burner phone from his jacket pocket, Boss; the financial routing leads overseas," the enforcer reported.
Salvatore’s eyes narrowed as he held out his hand to receive the glowing device from his trusted subordinate.
The screen displayed international wire transfers originating from a shell corporation based in Zurich, Switzerland.
"The Italian syndicate," Salvatore muttered, recognizing the digital signature embedded in the transaction ledger.
They were trying to infiltrate the Chicago ports by eliminating the Sterling family bloodline from the board.
A grim smile touched the corners of Salvatore’s mouth, though his eyes remained entirely dead and ruthless.
"They wanted a war on American soil, and we are going to deliver it to their doorstep," Salvatore declared.
Brun rose to his feet immediately, shaking his muscular body as he prepared to accompany his master outside.
The Enforcers checked their weapons in unison, the metallic clicks echoing rhythmically through the sacred space.
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Salvatore took one last lingering look at the small white casket before turning his back toward the exit.
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