Chapter 15 - The Summit of Wolves
While Tessa was dismantling Dante’s financial leverage in the daylight, Salvatore was preparing for a face-to-face confrontation in the shadows.
Dante had requested a formal sit-down at an abandoned steel mill on the industrial south side, a neutral ground recognized by the old families.
Salvatore arrived in a convoy of armored black SUVs, stepping out into the freezing, relentless Chicago wind.
He was flanked by Matteo and twenty of his most elite, heavily armed enforcers, all completely ready to die for him.
Dante was already waiting inside the cavernous, rusting warehouse, sitting arrogantly at a heavy metal table.
He looked strikingly similar to Salvatore, but his eyes were completely devoid of any humanity, filled only with cruel, calculating ambition.
"Little brother," Dante mocked loudly, spreading his hands in a fake, welcoming gesture as Salvatore approached.
"It is truly a shame you can't properly greet the rightful boss of this family."
Salvatore didn't flinch, didn't react, and didn't offer a single ounce of respect.
He sat down across from Dante, his posture completely relaxed, exuding an overwhelming, suffocating dominance.
Matteo stood directly behind Salvatore, acting as his voice for the formal negotiation.
"Mr. Marquetti politely requests that you board a plane back to Europe tonight, or you will be buried in the foundation of this city," Matteo translated coldly.
Dante laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed violently off the rusted steel walls.
"You think you can intimidate me with your silent, brooding act?" Dante sneered, leaning aggressively over the table.
"I have already bought out half of your captains, Sal. Your empire is rotting from the inside out."
Salvatore raised a single, dismissive eyebrow, slowly pulling a sleek tablet from his coat pocket.
He slid the tablet across the metal table, allowing Dante to view the high-definition security footage playing on the screen.
It showed the three rogue captains Dante had allegedly bought, completely bound and gagged in a soundproof basement, heavily guarded by Salvatore’s loyalists.
Dante’s arrogant smile vanished instantly, replaced by a dark, murderous fury.
"You are going to lose everything, Sal," Dante hissed violently, his composure completely shattering.
"Starting with that beautiful, pathetic little waitress you play house with."
Salvatore stood up slowly, the raw, unfiltered violence radiating from his body so intensely that Dante’s guards instinctively stepped back.
He leaned over the table, holding Dante’s terrified gaze, and raised his hands to sign a promise.
May you like
If you ever say her name again, I will tear your heart out of your chest with my bare hands.
Salvatore turned his back on his brother and walked away, knowing the final, bloody war had officially begun.
