Chapter 8 - THE RECKONING AT THE ESTATE
By sunrise, the rain had stopped over Long Island.
A golden light washed over the grand iron gates of the Moretti family estate in Oyster Bay.
Adrian's black car pulled up the long gravel driveway, flanked by four escort vehicles filled with loyal Moretti soldiers who had rallied to Adrian's side the moment Don Carmine's verdict was broadcast.
The estate was quiet.
Adrian stepped out of the car, helping Elena down.
They walked up the grand stone steps into the main house, where the remaining capos and family lieutenants stood assembled in the grand foyer, their heads bowed in respect.
Sitting on the bottom stair, bleeding from his chest wound but wrapped in a heavy blanket, was Marco Vance.
He was guarded by two loyal soldiers.
As Adrian and Elena entered, Marco slowly looked up. His eyes were hollow, filled with a deep, irredeemable regret.
"Adrian..." Marco whispered weakly, clutching his bandage. "Elena..."
Elena walked forward, stopping three feet from her father's old friend.
"Why, Marco?" Elena asked, her voice steady, though tears glistened on her lashes. "My father loved you like a brother. He paid for your house. He took care of your family."
"Greed," Marco said softly, tears rolling down his weathered face. "Volkov offered me a empire. He made me feel like I was more than just Anthony's servant. But I was a fool. A blind, pathetic fool."
He looked up at Adrian.
"Do it, Adrian," Marco choked out, bowing his head. "Finish it. I deserve whatever death you give me."
Adrian stood over him, looking at the man who had helped raise him after his father died.
The whole room waited in silence for Adrian's command. In the old days, a traitor was executed on the spot without trial.
Adrian looked down at his pinky finger—at his father's gold signet ring gleaming in the morning sunlight.
He remembered what his father used to say: A boss who rules only through blood will eventually drown in it.
Adrian looked at Marco.
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"You won't die today, Marco," Adrian said, his voice echoing clearly across the marble foyer. "You will live. But you will spend the rest of your life in a maximum-security federal prison, stripped of your name, your money, and your dignity. You will watch from a cell as Elena and I rebuild this family without your filth."
Marco sobbed, sinking his face into his blood-stained hands as federal agents—who had arrived in three black vans behind Adrian—stepped forward and placed heavy iron handcuffs on his wrists.
