Chapter 13 - The Gathering of Vultures|
At ten o'clock sharp, the grand dining room of the Moretti estate was filled with heavy smoke and dangerous men.
Nine regional captains sat around the long mahogany table. Uncle Sal sat at the right-hand corner, leaning on his cane, his scarred face grim. Cousin Carlo sat near the center, wearing his immaculate navy jacket, sipping espresso, looking entirely composed and confident.
Aunt Sophia sat near the fireplace, still wearing black, wiping fake tears from her eyes.
"We cannot wait any longer, Sal," Carlo spoke up, his voice smooth and authoritative. "Dante has been missing since dawn. Franco was found beaten unconscious on Mulberry Street. The Rossi girl has obviously gone to the federal prosecutors, and Dante is covering for her!"
"Silence, Carlo!" Sal snapped, though his own eyes held a deep, troubled anxiety.
"I will not be silent!" Carlo insisted, standing up and addressing the nine captains. "The girl stole our family’s heirloom! She was caught red-handed by Marco! And now Dante is putting our entire business at risk because he's blinded by a baker's daughter!"
Several captains muttered in agreement, nodding their heads.
The heavy double doors of the dining room were suddenly thrown open with a loud metallic crash.
Dante walked into the room.
He wore a tailored dark suit, his broad shoulders squared, his gray eyes sweeping over the assembled men like a predator evaluating prey.
Walking directly beside him, dressed in an elegant black dress, her chin held high, her dark hair pinned back, was Isabella.
Behind them stepped Marco, carrying a heavy metal briefcase.
The room went completely silent.
Carlo’s coffee cup froze halfway to his mouth. Aunt Sophia gasped. Uncle Sal stood up slowly, leaning heavily on his cane.
"Dante," Sal rasped out. "What is the meaning of this? Why is this girl in our house?"
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Dante walked to the head of the long table, stopping beside his father's old chair.
"This girl," Dante declared, his voice echoing off the high ceilings like a bell, "is the next Mrs. Moretti. And she is here to present the results of our investigation."
