Chapter 6 - The Summit of Shadows
By four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, a thick fog had rolled over the Westchester estate.
Inside the grand formal dining room, Marcus Kane sat at the head of the polished mahogany table. Seated around him were six high-ranking lieutenants of the Cross syndicate, alongside two senior representatives of the rival Moretti family.
Whiskey glasses sat on the table, and thick cigar smoke hung in the air.
"Damian hasn't answered his encrypted line since last night," Marcus announced smoothly, leaning back in his leather chair. "He’s growing unstable. The pressure from the federal investigation is getting to him. As head of security, I am calling for an emergency council vote to assume operational command of the Hudson routes."
One of the older lieutenants frowned. "Marcus, Damian has run this family for seven years. We don't take a vote without him present."
"Damian isn't coming back," Marcus said, a cold, triumphant smile playing on his lips. "He left the estate early this morning. He’s compromised."
THUD.
The heavy double doors of the dining room swung open.
Every man in the room reached for his weapon, but froze instantly.
Damian Cross walked into the room.
He wore a custom black suit, his dark hair brushed back, radiating an aura of absolute power and terrifying composure. Standing right behind him was Leo, flanked by eight elite strike-team enforcers carrying heavy tactical rifles.
The air in the room went dead cold.
Marcus Kane’s smile vanished instantly. His face turned ash-grey, his fingers tightening around his glass until the crystal cracked.
"Damian..." Marcus stammered, scrambling to stand up. "You're back. We... we were just discussing the security protocols for the weekend—"
"Save it, Marcus," Damian interrupted, his deep voice slicing through the room like a honed blade.
Damian walked over to the head of the table. He pulled a small portable speaker from his pocket, set it on the mahogany wood, and pressed play.
Marcus Kane’s recorded voice echoed through the high-ceilinged room:
"The housekeeper saw the ledger... Threaten the kid... Once she’s off the grid, we leak a story that she stole from the safe. Damian will be too focused on the betrayal to notice the perimeter shift..."
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The six lieutenants around the table gasped, turning their eyes toward Marcus with utter shock and rage.
"Traitors don't get votes in this house, Marcus," Damian said softly.
