Chapter 16 - The Airport Run
The black SUV sped down the Kennedy Expressway toward the airport. Clara stared out the window, wiping away silent tears. She was leaving behind the only man she had ever truly loved, to save his life.
Back in the subterranean vault beneath the city, Julian Morreti sat at the head of a dark oak table. Five men, the heads of the oldest syndicates in America, stared at him.
"You broke omertà, Julian," an old man with a cane hissed. "You used the feds to clean your house. You are a liability."
"I protected my business," Julian replied coldly. "Dante Romano was an idiot who couldn't balance a ledger. I run a multi-billion dollar legitimate empire. I make you all richer."
"You have gone soft," another boss spat. "Over a woman. A hotel clerk. We demand you hand her over to us as collateral. To ensure your loyalty."
Julian’s eyes went pitch black. He slowly stood up, unbuttoning his suit jacket. "If any of you so much as speak her name again, I will lock the doors to this vault and none of you will ever see the sun again."
The room erupted in shouting, but Julian’s phone buzzed. It was an automated alert from his penthouse security system. The front door had opened.
Julian answered a call from the lobby guard. "Sir, Victor just left with Ms. Vance. They are heading to the airport."
Julian didn't hesitate. He pulled his weapon, slammed it onto the mahogany table, and glared at the Council bosses.
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"My loyalty is to myself," Julian snarled. "The Morreti family is officially withdrawing from the Syndicate. If you want a war, come to my tower. I’ll leave the lights on for you."
He turned and sprinted out of the vault.
