Chapter 28
The brutal delivery of Vargas’s remains sent an undeniable, horrifying message to the Falcone syndicate. Don Falcone, terrified by the sheer, unhinged ruthlessness of the Rizzano retaliation, desperately requested a peace summit. He proposed a meeting at a highly public, neutral location: the luxurious penthouse of the Grand Continental Hotel in the city center. Alessandro arrived exactly on time. He wore a flawless, dark tailored suit, the heavy diamond signet ring gleaming on his hand. He stepped out of the private elevator, flanked only by Dante. The bright, cinematic lighting of the penthouse illuminated Don Falcone sitting nervously at a glass table, surrounded by heavily armed guards. "Alessandro," Falcone stammered, his American accent trembling as he stood up. "The situation escalated unnecessarily. We can negotiate a ceasefire. I am willing to pay reparations for the disrupted cargo." Alessandro did not sit down. He walked slowly around the glass table, his polished leather shoes making no sound on the plush carpet. "You tried to steal from me," Alessandro murmured, his voice incredibly low and measured. "And then your men attempted to take hostages in my own home. There is no negotiation, Falcone. There is only your unconditional surrender." "You are out of your mind!" Falcone shouted, gesturing to his men. "I have you outnumbered in a public building!"
