Chapter 10
The sun began to set, casting long, dramatic shadows across the sprawling grounds of the Coleman estate. The bright video colors of the cinematic daylight transitioned into the warm, golden glow of the interior chandeliers. Dominic stood in his grand, mahogany-paneled study, looking out the massive windows at the heavily fortified perimeter.
The estate had transformed into a military command center. Dozens of heavily armed, white American bodyguards in dark suits patrolled the grounds, their faces set in grim determination. Armored black SUVs were lined up in the driveway, engines idling.
Dominic poured himself a single glass of bourbon, taking a slow sip. The burn of the alcohol grounded him. He turned as the heavy oak doors of the study swung open.
His three senior capos walked into the room. They were hardened veterans of the syndicate, men who had bled for the Coleman name. They stood at attention, waiting for their Boss to speak.
"The traitor has been secured," Dominic announced, his deep, masculine voice echoing in the quiet study. "My brother confessed to conspiring with the Falcone syndicate to orchestrate a coup."
The capos exchanged dark, furious glances. The betrayal of blood was a sin that could not go unpunished.
"What are your orders, Mr. Coleman?" the lead capo asked, his hand resting on the weapon at his hip. "If the Falcones are making a move, we need to strike first. We need to secure the borders."
"We are not securing the borders," Dominic replied, his cold, intimidating eyes narrowing into lethal slits. "We are expanding them."
He walked over to his massive desk, his polished leather shoes making slow, deliberate sounds against the hardwood floor. He set the crystal glass down and looked at his commanders.
"The Falcones believed they could manipulate my family. They believed they could break my mother, and in doing so, break me," Dominic stated, the controlled pauses in his speech highlighting the absolute, terrifying resolve in his heart. "They severely underestimated... exactly what kind of monster... they invited into their lives."
"We are ready for war, Boss," the second capo affirmed, a fierce loyalty burning in his eyes.
"Mobilize every soldier on the payroll," Dominic commanded softly, a dark, chilling smile touching the corners of his mouth. "I want their supply lines cut by midnight. I want their warehouses raided, and their lieutenants neutralized. We are going to burn the Falcone empire to the ground, and we are going to leave no survivors to tell the tale."
"Consider it done," the capos nodded in unison, turning swiftly to execute the orders that would plunge the region into violent chaos.
As the men left to begin the purge, Dominic remained alone in the bright, beautifully lit study. He walked back to the window, watching the convoy of armored vehicles roar out of the estate gates, heading toward enemy territory.
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He had protected his mother. He had eradicated the rot from his own home. But as he stared out into the darkening city, his phone on the desk suddenly began to vibrate with an incoming, encrypted call. He knew the Falcones were a massive, ruthless organization, and they would not go quietly into the night.
Dominic picked up the phone, his face a mask of cold, unyielding granite, ready to meet whatever horrors the night would bring. The war had officially begun, and the king of the syndicate was prepared to bathe the city in blood to protect his throne.
