Chapter 6 - The Spider's Web
By morning, the Chicago underworld was buzzing with a carefully orchestrated lie.
Word leaked from the Costello estate that Luca had suffered a massive, debilitating stroke during the night.
The rumors claimed he was completely incapacitated, unable to speak or issue orders.
Silvio Vance wasted no time seizing the opportunity.
He called an emergency meeting of all five syndicate captains at the downtown headquarters.
"Luca is finished," Silvio declared, standing at the head of the polished mahogany table.
"He is a vegetable hook up to machines."
"The family needs strong leadership, and I am stepping in as the acting boss."
The captains murmured among themselves, uneasy but unwilling to challenge Silvio's authority.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the boardroom swung open.
Rossi, Silvio's enforcer, backed into the room with his hands raised in the air.
He was followed closely by Dr. Thorne, who was pushing Luca Costello in his wheelchair.
Luca looked terribly pale, his head slumped forward, his breathing shallow.
He was playing the part of a dying man to absolute perfection.
Behind them walked Elena, pushing Maya in a stroller, flanked by ten heavily armed loyalist guards.
"What is the meaning of this?" Silvio demanded, his face flushing with anger.
"Mr. Costello insisted on attending this meeting," Dr. Thorne stated professionally.
Silvio sneered, walking slowly toward the wheelchair.
He looked down at his former friend with utter contempt and mocking pity.
"Look at you, Luca," Silvio laughed coldly.
"You are a broken, pathetic shadow."
"You should have died twelve years ago when I spiked your whiskey."
A collective gasp echoed around the boardroom as the captains processed the blatant confession.
Silvio waved his hand dismissively, uncaring of who heard the truth now.
"It doesn't matter," Silvio gloated, spreading his arms wide.
"I own the police, I own the docks, and I own this family."
"You are nothing but a cripple in a chair."
Luca slowly lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto Silvio with terrifying clarity.
The illusion of sickness vanished instantly from his face.
"A cripple, Silvio?" Luca asked, his voice booming with rich, lethal power.
Silvio froze, his arrogant smile shattering into a mask of pure horror.
May you like
Luca Costello placed his hands on the armrests of his wheelchair.
And then, for the first time in twelve years, the King of Chicago stood up.
