Chapter 7 - War at the Waterfront
The grand ballroom of the Providence Hotel was a sea of black tuxedos, glittering chandeliers, and heavy tobacco smoke.
Over one hundred senior syndicate bosses sat around round tables, drinking expensive scotch while armed guards lined the velvet walls.
On the raised wooden stage at the front of the room, Enzo Baron stood behind a podium, flanked by Victoria Ferrara, who wore a black lace veil over her face, feigning deep grief.
“Friends,” Enzo’s voice boomed across the microphone, echoing through the cathedral ceilings. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the tragic passing of our leader, Santino Ferrara. He was betrayed from within—murdered by a treacherous secretary working for our enemies.”
A low murmur swept through the crowd of mob bosses.
Victoria stepped forward, touching the microphone. “My brother was weak. His physical condition made him vulnerable to deceit. In accordance with family tradition, I hereby nominate Enzo Baron as the interim boss of the Ferrara syndicate.”
“I object,” a deep, thunderous voice echoed from the back of the stage.
The velvet curtains behind the podium were torn aside.
The room fell into an absolute, suffocating silence.
Santino Ferrara rolled his chair out into the bright spotlight, dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo, his hand resting calmly on his armrest. Beside him stood Emily Taylor, her chin high, the diamond Ferrara crest sparkling on her chest, holding a thick leather folder in her hands.
Behind them stood Rafe Lombardi and six heavy enforcers with weapons drawn.
Enzo’s face turned the color of ash. His hand twitched toward his coat. “You... you’re alive?!”
“Did you really think ten feet of water or four cheap gunmen could kill me, Enzo?” Santino asked, his voice cutting through the silent ballroom like a steel blade.
Victoria stumbled backward, dropping her handkerchief. “Santino... it... it was Enzo! He forced me! He said he’d kill me if I didn't help him!”
“Silence, Victoria!” Santino commanded coldly. He gestured toward Emily. “Miss Taylor, show the council the truth.”
Emily stepped up to the podium, connecting a flash drive to the hotel’s master projector system.
Instantly, the massive white screens behind the stage flickered to life. High-resolution images of the 1998 forged ledgers, security camera footage of Enzo’s men cutting the power lines at the corporate headquarters, and audio recordings captured by Rafe’s wiretaps played out before the gathered bosses.
The voice of Enzo Baron echoed through the ballroom speakers: “Toss the girl in the bay and make sure Santino’s chair is weighted. Once he’s under, the empire is ours.”
A roar of outrage erupted from the senior capos in the audience.
“Traitor!” shouted a veteran boss from Boston, standing up and slamming his fist on his table. “He tried to murder the boss and frame an innocent girl!”
Enzo panicked. He pulled a chrome revolver from his jacket, aiming directly at Santino’s chest! “If I die, you come with me, Santino!”
BANG!
A single gunshot shattered the air.
Enzo froze, his eyes going wide. He dropped his weapon, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped through his shirt.
Rafe lowered his silenced pistol, stepping forward and kicking Enzo’s gun off the edge of the stage into the crowd.
Santino rolled his chair forward until he was inches from the bleeding, kneeling traitor.
“My father spared your life thirty years ago because you were useful, Enzo,” Santino whispered, leaning down so only Enzo could hear him. “I am not my father.”
Santino raised his hand, gesturing to the guards. “Take him and my sister to the docks. The police will find them in the morning with full confessions signed in their own blood.”
As the guards dragged Enzo and Victoria screaming from the stage, the gathered bosses of the Five Families stood up as one, raising their glasses toward the stage.
“To Santino Ferrara!” the Boston boss shouted. “The true Sovereign of Rhode Island!”
Santino didn't look at the cheering crowd. He turned his chair toward Emily, reaching out to take her hand in his.
May you like
“It’s over, Emily,” Santino said softly. “Your father’s name is clean.”
Tears of relief finally overflowed Emily’s eyes, but as she looked down at Santino, she knew her journey wasn't ending—it was only just beginning.
