Chapter 9 - The Fall of Rossi and the Rise of Peace
By sunrise, the rain had stopped, giving way to a crisp, clear blue sky over New York.
The estate had been cleaned with military precision. The damaged windows were replaced, the foyer cleared, and all traces of the night’s violence erased.
While my legal and tactical teams handled the fallout, I rode in the back of my Maybach toward the Rossi family headquarters in Long Island City. With me were the leaders of the other four major New York families—men who had seen Joey Rossi’s reckless attack on my estate as a direct violation of the underworld’s ancient rules.
Joey Rossi was dragged into his own executive boardroom by his own lieutenants.
When he saw me enter, accompanied by the most powerful crime bosses in the tri-state area, his face drained of all color. He realized instantly that his reign had ended before it had even begun.
“Luca...” Joey stammered, backing up against the wall, his hands shaking violently. “Listen to me... it was a mistake... I was just trying to defend my uncle’s honor—”
“Silence,” said Boss Moretti of the Brooklyn syndicate, an elderly man with cold blue eyes. “You brought armed men to a boss’s private residence, Joey. You threatened innocent blood. You violated the fundamental law of this city.”
I walked over to the head of the boardroom table, pulled out the heavy leather chair, and sat down.
“The Rossi family will no longer exist as an independent entity,” I declared calmly, looking Joey in the eye. “Your territories will be divided equally among the four remaining families. Your legitimate businesses will be sold, and the proceeds will be placed into a trust for your uncle’s widow.”
Joey stared at me, his mouth agape. “And... and me?”
“You are banished from New York, Joey,” I said smoothly. “You will leave the country by midnight tonight. If you ever return, there will be no summit, no trial, and no discussion.”
Joey collapsed into a chair, completely defeated, sobbing quietly as his own lieutenants stepped forward to escort him out of the room.
I turned to the other family heads.
“Gentlemen,” I said, standing up. “As of today, the Moretti family is officially transitioning out of all non-legitimate enterprises. My construction, shipping, and real estate operations will remain fully legal and transparent. The shadow network my father created ends with me.”
The bosses looked at each other in surprise, but slowly, one by one, they bowed their heads in respect. They knew I had the power to crush any opposition, and my decision to leave the underworld cleared massive territory for them without blood spilling.
May you like
“May you find peace, Luca,” the elderly Brooklyn boss said softly.
“I already have,” I replied.
