Chapter 6 - THE PURGE
The morning following the Columbia River raid brought an icy, clear sky over Seattle.
Inside the grand study of the Moretti estate, the heavy mahogany desk was covered with legal documents, financial ledgers, and confiscated encrypted phones.
Alessandro sat in his high-backed leather chair. His left shoulder was bandaged beneath his pristine dark suit, his face calm, composed, and utterly terrifying.
Standing in a line before his desk were seven capos—the senior commanders of the Moretti crime family. Among them sat Marco Moretti, looking deathly pale, his hands trembling slightly as he fidgeted with his gold signet ring.
Gabriel stood near the closed doors of the study, holding a heavy black folder.
"Gentlemen," Alessandro began, his deep voice carrying an unquestioned authority that made the room fall dead silent. "Last night, a disease that has been rotting inside our family for months was finally excised."
The capos exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared to speak.
"Mateo Luciano is dead," Alessandro continued smoothly. "His organization in Chicago has been dismantled by federal authorities following an anonymous delivery of their financial ledgers to the Department of Justice three hours ago."
Marco swallowed hard, a bead of cold sweat running down his neck.
Alessandro turned his gaze slowly toward his brother-in-law. "Marco."
Marco jumped slightly. "Y-yes, Alessandro?"
"Do you know what happens to a branch on a tree when it turns rotten?" Alessandro asked softly.
"It... it gets pruned?" Marco stammered, trying to force a weak smile.
Alessandro gestured to Gabriel.
Gabriel stepped forward, setting a laptop on the desk facing Marco. He hit play on an audio recording.
Marco’s own voice echoed clearly through the studio speakers: “If we take the girl, Alessandro will break. He’ll sign over the docks, and then we eliminate them both at the river...”
The remaining six capos gasped in disgust, stepping away from Marco as if he were a walking corpse.
"No... Alessandro! That's fake! It's an AI voice generator! I was set up!" Marco shrieked, falling out of his chair onto his knees on the Persian rug. "I am your sister's husband! I am family!"
Alessandro stood up slowly, looking down at Marco with pure, icy contempt.
"You ceased to be family the moment you targeted a widow and a five-year-old child," Alessandro said coldly. "My sister passed away five years ago, Marco. The only reason you breathed this long was out of respect for her memory. But you traded that mercy for greed."
Two large security guards stepped into the study, grabbing Marco under his armpits and lifting him off the floor.
"Alessandro! Please! Mercy!" Marco screamed, kicking his legs frantically as he was dragged toward the rear doors. "I’ll leave the country! I’ll never come back! ALESSANDRO!"
The heavy doors slammed shut, cutting off his shrieks instantly.
Alessandro looked at the six remaining capos, who stood at rigid attention, their faces filled with profound respect and fear.
"Is there anyone else in this room," Alessandro asked quietly, "who feels the Moretti family needs new leadership?"
"Never, Don Moretti," the senior-most capo declared, bowing his head deeply. "We stand with you. Forever."
"Good," Alessandro nodded. "Then clean up our logistics. Expand our protection programs for the local business districts, and ensure every family of our fallen soldiers is paid double their pension benefits."
"Understood, Don Moretti!" the capos responded in unison, bowing before exiting the study.
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When the room was quiet again, Alessandro sat down, letting out a long, heavy breath. He looked at the small silver frame resting on his desk—a photo of his late nephew, Elena, and baby Sophia.
The war outside was won. Now it was time to rebuild the peace inside.
